Source: Masters Abstracts International, Volume: 47-06, page: 3556. Adviser: T. Robert Harris. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.A.)--York University, 2002. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 87-98). Also available on the Internet. MODE OF ACCESS via web browser by entering the following URL: http://wwwlib.umi.com/cr/yorku/fullcit?pMQ71595.

The purpose was to examine the ball catching strategies of 15 children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) compared to 15 of their peers without DCD, and 15 younger children matched on ball skills. A ball catching activity (catching 10 consecutive balls in five different positions) and the developmental sequences proposed by Haywood and Getchell (2005) were used to evaluate movement patterns. Children with DCD caught significantly fewer balls than their peers at the chest and above the head. Children with DCD demonstrated delayed arm action catching on the right and delayed body actions when balls were projected away from body compared to their peers. In addition, development of some body actions of children with DCD was different compared to younger children. Results suggested that children with DCD have not developed accurate and consistent movement patterns.

Coordinated gaze and hand movements predominate a number of our interactions in reachable space and yet few studies examine the potential contribution of tactile feedback in planning these actions. This thesis was designed to investigate eye and hand coordination during movement sequences when reaching out to interact with objects. We developed a virtual reality paradigm that allowed us to control visual, tactile, and in some cases, auditory feedback provided to participants. Participants reached and touched five objects in succession. We measured behaviour that resulted from removing one or more of the aforementioned sources of feedback – focusing on task accuracy, and the timing and dynamics of eye and hand movements. Our principle manipulations were to remove visual feedback of the hand, and/or to change the object response to contact. We also unexpectedly removed tactile feedback signaling contact. In Experiment 1, we examined gaze and hand movement timing relative to contact events. Gaze remained long enough to capture contact in central vision, but also followed a time course indicating that contact timing was predicted. In Experiment 2 we examined the influence of dynamic object consequences (i.e., motion). Gaze remained to monitor consequences that follow initial contact especially when the hand was invisible; with longer delays it became difficult to differentiate between predictive or reactive movements. In Experiment 3 we directly tested whether gaze would hold upon a site of action during prolonged manipulation. Here, gaze remained past contact time and instead its departure was associated with the completion of action. Our findings are congruent with the notion that visually guided reaches are controlled to facilitate directing the hand to viewed locations of action – without visual feedback of the hand accuracy diminished and hand approach changed across all experiments. However, we provide consistent evidence that gaze is also controlled to capture planned sensory consequences related to action at its viewed location. Monitoring these sites would facilitate comparing predicted sensory events with those that are actively measured and improve control throughout the movement sequence. Such a process also indicates the importance of considering tactile feedback when examining coordinated eye and hand movements. / Thesis (Ph.D, Neuroscience Studies) -- Queen's University, 2009-11-13 16:12:30.086

Hand grip strength (HGS) is a new nutritional assessment parameter proposed by American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN) and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (the Academy) for diagnosis of adult malnutrition related to acute illnesses, chronic diseases or starvation. Identification of ≥2 of the following conditions is considered to be malnourishment – weight loss, loss of muscle mass, loss of subcutaneous fat, fluid accumulation, diminished HGS and inadequate energy intake. HGS is also a marker of sarcopenia, a condition defined by low muscle mass and low muscle strength or performance, as identified by the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People. It has also been shown that lower HGS is associated with deficits in activities of daily living (ADL) and mobility. HGS is emerging as an important screening tool especially in the malnourished and aging population. This research evaluates the applicability of HGS as a nutrition screening tool in long-term care older adults. Data from a total of 129 participants age ≥60 years involved in an ongoing walking program in long-term care facilities in Saskatoon available for analysis at the time this work was undertaken. Participants were randomly assigned for an intervention period of 16 weeks to one of three study groups: 1) Usual Care Group, 2) Interpersonal Interaction Group, and 3) Walking Program Group. Activity of daily living, cognition and depression scores and hand grip strength were recorded at baseline and every eight weeks. Information on vitamin D intake status prior to study commencement was also collected. This study provides values of low grip strength similar to those defined for the risk of sarcopenia in frail older adults. Stronger baseline HGS was correlated with greater ADL independence in females (B=0.079, P=0.044). Greater ability to eat at baseline was also associated with stronger grip in females when cognition status was taken into consideration. Baseline ADL (B=-0.024) and HGS (B=1.004) were significant predictors of subsequent ADL and HGS, respectively, in males (P<0.01). Baseline HGS was associated with subsequent ADL and HGS in females, but such association was modified by other covariates. In summary, if grip strength is to be used as a nutritional screening tool in long-term care facilities, dietitians shall be cautious of other factors such as the residents’ cognitive status and age and use in conjunction with other nutrition assessment methods.

Zugl.: Ann Arbor, Univ. of Michigan, Diss., 2007 / Hergestellt on demand

Zugl.: Köln, Universiẗat, Diss., 2007.

Thesis (M.F.A.)--Rochester Institute of Technology, 1982. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaf 13).

Thesis (Ed. D)--Teachers College, Columbia University. / Typescript; issued also on microfilm. Sponsor: Kenneth D. Wann. Dissertation Committee: Margaret M. Adams, Alice M. Miel. Type C project. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 170-176).

Thesis (doctoral)--Jena, 1933. / Excerpt from Zeitschrift für Sinnesphysiologie, Bd. 64 (1933).