Abstract
Background: Evaluation of elementary writing skills in children is usually obtained with high resolution (and high cost) techniques or with low resolution pen-and-paper tests. In this observational study we tested a quantitative method to obtain normative data to describe arm movement during a writing precursor gesture.Methods: We recruited 226 healthy children (mean age 9,1 years [range: 6.3 - 11.4 years]), attending primary schools belonging to the " Istituto Comprensivo" of Rivanazzano Terme (Pavia). We asked to drive a cursor through a polygonal path (labyrinth) projected in front of them using a wireless mouse. Dartfish™ video analysis software was used to elaborate images and Excel™, MedCalc™ and Statistica 7™ to analyze values of shoulder, elbow and wrist ranges of motion, arm trajectories, execution times and gesture accuracy.Results: Differences seen in motor strategies, when divided according to attended class, suggest a proximal-distal maturation of motor control. Obtained values were not significantly correlated with variables such as gender, ethnicity or cognitive functioning.Conclusions: This type of approach to a study of arm movement during childhood represents a valid alternative to other tests, considering that it can differentiate children who perform similarly in the VMI test and is non-invasive, low-cost and easily reproducible.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 173 |
| Journal | BMC Pediatrics |
| Volume | 12 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Nov 7 2012 |
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ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
Cite this
Arm trajectories and writing strategy in healthy children. / Chiappedi, Matteo; Togni, Rosella; De Bernardi, Elisabetta; Baschenis, Ilaria M C; Battezzato, Sara; Balottin, Umberto; Toffola, Elena D.; Bejor, Maurizio.
In: BMC Pediatrics, Vol. 12, 173, 07.11.2012.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Arm trajectories and writing strategy in healthy children
AU - Chiappedi, Matteo
AU - Togni, Rosella
AU - De Bernardi, Elisabetta
AU - Baschenis, Ilaria M C
AU - Battezzato, Sara
AU - Balottin, Umberto
AU - Toffola, Elena D.
AU - Bejor, Maurizio
PY - 2012/11/7
Y1 - 2012/11/7
N2 - Background: Evaluation of elementary writing skills in children is usually obtained with high resolution (and high cost) techniques or with low resolution pen-and-paper tests. In this observational study we tested a quantitative method to obtain normative data to describe arm movement during a writing precursor gesture.Methods: We recruited 226 healthy children (mean age 9,1 years [range: 6.3 - 11.4 years]), attending primary schools belonging to the " Istituto Comprensivo" of Rivanazzano Terme (Pavia). We asked to drive a cursor through a polygonal path (labyrinth) projected in front of them using a wireless mouse. Dartfish™ video analysis software was used to elaborate images and Excel™, MedCalc™ and Statistica 7™ to analyze values of shoulder, elbow and wrist ranges of motion, arm trajectories, execution times and gesture accuracy.Results: Differences seen in motor strategies, when divided according to attended class, suggest a proximal-distal maturation of motor control. Obtained values were not significantly correlated with variables such as gender, ethnicity or cognitive functioning.Conclusions: This type of approach to a study of arm movement during childhood represents a valid alternative to other tests, considering that it can differentiate children who perform similarly in the VMI test and is non-invasive, low-cost and easily reproducible.
AB - Background: Evaluation of elementary writing skills in children is usually obtained with high resolution (and high cost) techniques or with low resolution pen-and-paper tests. In this observational study we tested a quantitative method to obtain normative data to describe arm movement during a writing precursor gesture.Methods: We recruited 226 healthy children (mean age 9,1 years [range: 6.3 - 11.4 years]), attending primary schools belonging to the " Istituto Comprensivo" of Rivanazzano Terme (Pavia). We asked to drive a cursor through a polygonal path (labyrinth) projected in front of them using a wireless mouse. Dartfish™ video analysis software was used to elaborate images and Excel™, MedCalc™ and Statistica 7™ to analyze values of shoulder, elbow and wrist ranges of motion, arm trajectories, execution times and gesture accuracy.Results: Differences seen in motor strategies, when divided according to attended class, suggest a proximal-distal maturation of motor control. Obtained values were not significantly correlated with variables such as gender, ethnicity or cognitive functioning.Conclusions: This type of approach to a study of arm movement during childhood represents a valid alternative to other tests, considering that it can differentiate children who perform similarly in the VMI test and is non-invasive, low-cost and easily reproducible.
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UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84868324380&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1186/1471-2431-12-173
DO - 10.1186/1471-2431-12-173
M3 - Article
C2 - 23134839
AN - SCOPUS:84868324380
VL - 12
JO - BMC Pediatrics
JF - BMC Pediatrics
SN - 1471-2431
M1 - 173
ER -