The use of outcome measures by occupational therapists to establish the effectiveness of treatment is important. The Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function Test (JHFT) was identified as a standardised assessment suitable for the evaluation of outcomes related to the treatment of hand function. This study established norms for this test on 120 normal, ethnically diverse South Africans between the ages of 20 and 59 years. Statistically significant differences were found between the original norms published by Jebsen et al (1) and the South African sample for males and females, dominant and non-dominant hands and ethnic groupings. It is postulated that gender and cultural factors may influence the speed with which different groups complete functional tasks and these must be factored in when using the JHFT as an outcome measure in South Africa. The test appears to have limited application as a norm referenced test in South Africa, but may be valuable in determining progress in therapy or research.

MSc, Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, 2008 / Purpose of this study was to develop an appropriate and valid hand function assessment: the Steinmann-Obermeyer questionnaire (SOQ) for clients attending the Rheumatology Clinic at Kalafong Hospital. To achieve this • the construct validity of the SOQ had to be examined by assessing the face and content validity. • the criterion –related validity of the SOQ was assessed using convergent, concurrent and discriminative validity compared to pain, severity of deformity and disease severity. • the criterion –related validity of the SOQ was further assessed using the predictive validity by assessing normal subjects with the SOQ. Objective: The objective of this study was to test the following null hypotheses: 1.4.1 The SOQ is not a valid method of evaluating the functional ability of rheumatology clients treated at Kalafong hospital out patient clinic. 1.4.2 There is no correlation between the severity of the rheumatic disease and the score obtained by the SOQ. 1.4.3 There is no correlation between the disease activity and the score obtained by the SOQ. 1.4.4 There is no correlation between the client’s assessment of their level of pain and the score obtained by the SOQ. Method. The SOQ consisted of 48 questions, was translated into Sotho and Zulu and was administered and analysed on 96 arthritic clients between 18 and 69 years of age. An occupational therapy assistant (OTA), who spoke both the tribal languages fluently, completed the questionnaire with each client. An interviewer-administered format was used because many of the clients were illiterate. Results. After the analyses were completed, three questions were excluded and the final questionnaire consisted of 45 questions. This questionnaire was found to be a valid method of evaluating the functional ability of rheumatology clients treated at Kalafong hospital. Clients with severe functional limitations scored high on the questionnaire and those with minimal functional difficulty scored low on the questionnaire. The questionnaire scores correlated significantly with the pain levels experienced by the clients and their disease activity. The statistical analyses also showed that there is no correlation between the questionnaire score and the deformities of the clients. Inter-rater reliability was established. Conclusion. The 45-question occupational performance evaluation was developed, analysed and proven to be valid and sensitive for use with rheumatology clients with hand function difficulties at the Kalafong rheumatology clinic.

As habilidades manuais podem estar prejudicadas na paralisia cerebral (PC),interferindo nas atividades funcionais do cotidiano da criança, como alimentar-se, ir ao banheiro, brincar, o que ocasiona impacto negativo na vida dela e da família. Objetivo: elaborar, aplicar e analisar um protocolo de avaliação da função manual de crianças com PC, de 0 a 7 anos e 11 meses de idade. Método: estudo dividido em 2 etapas - 1) planejamento: definição de objetivo e população alvo, realização de revisão da literatura sobre instrumentos já existentes, tipos de itens e formato de instrumento, 2) construção: construção I -desenvolvimento dos itens, seleção dos instrumentos utilizados como base do protocolo, seleção dos itens relevantes por faixa etária, análise dos itens e adequação do protocolo; projeto piloto - aplicação do protocolo junto a 36 crianças de 0 a 7 anos e 11 meses, sendo 18 com PC e 18 com DT, análise dos itens e adequação do protocolo; construção II - validação de conteúdo por profissionais/pesquisadores experientes (experts) na área, elaboração e envio do questionário aos juízes especialistas, revisão dos itens (inclusão e exclusão), análise das avaliações dos especialistas e adequação do protocolo. Resultados: foram selecionados 238 itens, sendo 38 itens da Escala Lúdica Pré Escolar de Knox (ELPK-R), 126 do Inventário Portage Operacionalizado (IPO), 32 do Teste de Triagem de Desenvolvimento de Denver II (TTDDR), 38 do Inventário de Avaliação Pediátrica de Incapacidade (PEDI) e 4 do Manual de Avaliação Motora - Escala de Desenvolvimento Motor (MAM-EDM). Todos os itens foram revisados. Realizou-se o agrupamento de 161 itens recorrentes, totalizando 120 itens, os quais foram aplicados em crianças com PC e DT. Após a aplicação, em nova análise do protocolo, foram agrupados 6 itens semelhantes, divididos 2 e excluídos 7, totalizando 109 itens, os quais foram enviados em forma de questionário para os juízes especialistas. Na sequência, as avaliações dos experts foram analisadas e, então, 3 itens foram agrupados, 1 item subdividido e 7 itens excluídos, chegando-se a um protocolo final com 101 itens, divididos em 8 faixas etárias: de 0 a 5 meses, de 6 meses a 11 meses, de 1 ano a 1 ano e 11 meses e, sucessivamente, na sequência anual até de 4 anos a 4 anos e 11 meses; em seguida há uma faixa etária de 5 anos a 6 anos e 11 meses e, após, a faixa etária de 7 anos a 7 anos e 11 meses. O resultado foi então denominado de Avaliação Manual Infantil Geral e Objetiva - AMIGO. Foram observadas 2 crianças de cada grupo em cada faixa etária, sendo que as crianças com DT apresentaram, no geral, melhores pontuações quando comparadas às crianças com PC da mesma faixa etária. Considerações finais: a avaliação AMIGO foi considerada válida e alcançou seu objetivo principal. Ainda está, porém, em processo de construção e, em estudos futuros, passará por mais duas fases de construção, sendo elas a fase III - avaliação quantitativa e a fase IV - validação, para que possa ser considerada totalmente válida e segura a sua utilização na prática clínica e na pesquisa científica. / Manual skills may be affected in cerebral palsy (CP), interfering with functional activities of child\'s daily life, such as eating, toileting, playing, which causes negative impact on child´s life and family. Objective: To develop, implement and analyze an evaluation protocol to assess manual children function with CP, aged between 0-7 years and 11 months old. Method: This study was divided into two stages - 1) planning: setting goals and target population, literature review on existing instruments, types of items and instrument format, 2) Construction: Construction I -development of items, selection of instruments used as basis of the protocol, selection of relevant items by age group, item analysis and protocol adjustment; Pilot Project - protocol application with 36 children 0-7 years, 11 months, 18 CP childerb and 18 children with typical development (TD), item analysis and protocol adjustment; Construction II - Content validation by professional / experienced researchers (experts) in the area, preparation and submission of the questionnaire to expert judges, items review (item inclusion or exclusion), analysis of experts evaluations and suitability of the protocol. Results: We selected 238 items, 38 items Revised Knox Preschool Scale (RKPPS) 126 items from Operationalized Portage Inventory (IPO), 32 from Denver II Developmental Screening Test (DDST-R) 38 from Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI) and 4 from Manual of Motor Evaluation - Motor Development Scale (MAM-EDM). All items were reviewed. We grouped 161 recurring items, totalizing 120 items, which we applied both in CP children and with CP and TD children. After the implementation, we performed a new protocol analysis and 6 similar items were grouped, 2 items divided and 7 items excluded, totalizing 109 items, which were sent as questionnaire to the expert judges. Further, experts assessments were analyzed and then 3 items were grouped, 1 item subdivided, and 7 items deleted, coming to a final protocol with 101 items, divided into eight age groups: 0-5 months of 6 months to 11 months, 1 year to 1 year and 11 months and, subsequentially, the annual sequence till 4 years to 4 years and 11 months; then there is an age group between 5 years and 6 years and 11 months, and after the age of 7 years to 7 years and 11 months. The resulting product was then called Children´s Manual Assessment General and Objective - AMIGO. Two children in each group were observed at each age, and children with TD had, overall, better scores compared to children with CP in each age group. The final considerations were that AMIGO has been valid and reached its main goal. But it is still under construction, and in future studies it will go through two more stages of construction, which were phase III - quantitative assessment and phase IV - validation, in order to be considered valid and secure to be uesd in clinical practice and in scientific research.

As habilidades manuais podem estar prejudicadas na paralisia cerebral (PC), interferindo nas atividades funcionais do cotidiano da criança, como alimentar-se, ir ao banheiro, brincar, o que ocasiona impacto negativo na vida dela e da família. Objetivo: elaborar, aplicar e analisar um protocolo de avaliação da função manual de crianças com PC, de 0 a 7 anos e 11 meses de idade. Método: estudo dividido em 2 etapas - 1) planejamento: definição de objetivo e população alvo, realização de revisão da literatura sobre instrumentos já existentes, tipos de itens e formato de instrumento, 2) construção: construção I -desenvolvimento dos itens, seleção dos instrumentos utilizados como base do protocolo, seleção dos itens relevantes por faixa etária, análise dos itens e adequação do protocolo; projeto piloto - aplicação do protocolo junto a 36 crianças de 0 a 7 anos e 11 meses, sendo 18 com PC e 18 com desenvolvimento típico (DT), análise dos itens e adequação do protocolo; construção II - validação de conteúdo por profissionais/pesquisadores experientes (experts) na área, elaboração e envio do questionário aos juízes especialistas, revisão dos itens (inclusão e exclusão), análise das avaliações dos especialistas e adequação do protocolo. Resultados: foram selecionados 238 itens, sendo 38 itens da Escala Lúdica Pré Escolar de Knox (ELPKR), 126 do Inventário Portage Operacionalizado (IPO), 32 do Teste de Triagem de Desenvolvimento de Denver II (TTDD-R), 38 do Inventário de Avaliação Pediátrica de Incapacidade (PEDI) e 4 do Manual de Avaliação Motora - Escala de Desenvolvimento Motor (MAM-EDM). Todos os itens foram revisados. Realizou-se o agrupamento de 161 itens recorrentes, totalizando 120 itens, os quais foram aplicados em crianças com PC e DT. Após a aplicação, em nova análise do protocolo, foram agrupados 6 itens semelhantes, divididos 2 e excluídos 7, totalizando 109 itens, os quais foram enviados em forma de questionário para os juízes especialistas. Na sequência, as avaliações dos experts foram analisadas e, então, 3 itens foram agrupados, 1 item subdividido e 7 itens excluídos, chegando-se a um protocolo final com 101 itens, divididos em 8 faixas etárias: de 0 a 5 meses, de 6 meses a 11 meses, de 1 ano a 1 ano e 11 meses e, sucessivamente, na sequência anual até de 4 anos a 4 anos e 11 meses; em seguida há uma faixa etária de 5 anos a 6 anos e 11 meses e, após, a faixa etária de 7 anos a 7 anos e 11 meses. O resultado foi então denominado de Avaliação Manual Infantil Geral e Objetiva - AMIGO. Foram observadas 2 crianças de cada grupo em cada faixa etária, sendo que as crianças com DT apresentaram, no geral, melhores pontuações quando comparadas às crianças com PC da mesma faixa etária. Considerações finais: a avaliação AMIGO foi considerada válida e alcançou seu objetivo principal. Ainda está, porém, em processo de construção e, em estudos futuros, passará por mais duas fases de construção, sendo elas a fase III - avaliação quantitativa e a fase IV - validação, para que possa ser considerada totalmente válida e segura a sua utilização na prática clínica e na pesquisa científica. / Manual skills may be affected in cerebral palsy (CP), interfering with functional activities of child\'s daily life, such as eating, toileting, playing, which causes negative impact on child´s life and family. Objective: To develop, implement and analyze an evaluation protocol to assess manual children function with CP, aged between 0-7 years and 11 months old. Method: This study was divided into two stages - 1) planning: setting goals and target population, literature review on existing instruments, types of items and instrument format, 2) Construction: Construction I -development of items, selection of instruments used as basis of the protocol, selection of relevant items by age group, item analysis and protocol adjustment; Pilot Project - protocol application with 36 children 0-7 years, 11 months, 18 CP childerb and 18 children with typical development (TD), item analysis and protocol adjustment; Construction II - Content validation by professional / experienced researchers (experts) in the area, preparation and submission of the questionnaire to expert judges, items review (item inclusion or exclusion), analysis of experts evaluations and suitability of the protocol. Results: We selected 238 items, 38 items Revised Knox Preschool Scale (RKPPS) 126 items from Operationalized Portage Inventory (IPO), 32 from Denver II Developmental Screening Test (DDST-R) 38 from Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI) and 4 from Manual of Motor Evaluation - Motor Development Scale (MAM-EDM). All items were reviewed. We grouped 161 recurring items, totalizing 120 items, which we applied both in CP children and with CP and TD children. After the implementation, we performed a new protocol analysis and 6 similar items were grouped, 2 items divided and 7 items excluded, totalizing 109 items, which were sent as questionnaire to the expert judges. Further, experts assessments were analyzed and then 3 items were grouped, 1 item subdivided, and 7 items deleted, coming to a final protocol with 101 items, divided into eight age groups: 0-5 months of 6 months to 11 months, 1 year to 1 year and 11 months and, subsequentially, the annual sequence till 4 years to 4 years and 11 months; then there is an age group between 5 years and 6 years and 11 months, and after the age of 7 years to 7 years and 11 months. The resulting product was then called Children´s Manual Assessment General and Objective - AMIGO. Two children in each group were observed at each age, and children with TD had, overall, better scores compared to children with CP in each age group. The final considerations were that AMIGO has been valid and reached its main goal. But it is still under construction, and in future studies it will go through two more stages of construction, which were phase III - quantitative assessment and phase IV - validation, in order to be considered valid and secure to be uesd in clinical practice and in scientific research.

As habilidades manuais podem estar prejudicadas na paralisia cerebral (PC),interferindo nas atividades funcionais do cotidiano da criança, como alimentar-se, ir ao banheiro, brincar, o que ocasiona impacto negativo na vida dela e da família. Objetivo: elaborar, aplicar e analisar um protocolo de avaliação da função manual de crianças com PC, de 0 a 7 anos e 11 meses de idade. Método: estudo dividido em 2 etapas - 1) planejamento: definição de objetivo e população alvo, realização de revisão da literatura sobre instrumentos já existentes, tipos de itens e formato de instrumento, 2) construção: construção I -desenvolvimento dos itens, seleção dos instrumentos utilizados como base do protocolo, seleção dos itens relevantes por faixa etária, análise dos itens e adequação do protocolo; projeto piloto - aplicação do protocolo junto a 36 crianças de 0 a 7 anos e 11 meses, sendo 18 com PC e 18 com DT, análise dos itens e adequação do protocolo; construção II - validação de conteúdo por profissionais/pesquisadores experientes (experts) na área, elaboração e envio do questionário aos juízes especialistas, revisão dos itens (inclusão e exclusão), análise das avaliações dos especialistas e adequação do protocolo. Resultados: foram selecionados 238 itens, sendo 38 itens da Escala Lúdica Pré Escolar de Knox (ELPK-R), 126 do Inventário Portage Operacionalizado (IPO), 32 do Teste de Triagem de Desenvolvimento de Denver II (TTDDR), 38 do Inventário de Avaliação Pediátrica de Incapacidade (PEDI) e 4 do Manual de Avaliação Motora - Escala de Desenvolvimento Motor (MAM-EDM). Todos os itens foram revisados. Realizou-se o agrupamento de 161 itens recorrentes, totalizando 120 itens, os quais foram aplicados em crianças com PC e DT. Após a aplicação, em nova análise do protocolo, foram agrupados 6 itens semelhantes, divididos 2 e excluídos 7, totalizando 109 itens, os quais foram enviados em forma de questionário para os juízes especialistas. Na sequência, as avaliações dos experts foram analisadas e, então, 3 itens foram agrupados, 1 item subdividido e 7 itens excluídos, chegando-se a um protocolo final com 101 itens, divididos em 8 faixas etárias: de 0 a 5 meses, de 6 meses a 11 meses, de 1 ano a 1 ano e 11 meses e, sucessivamente, na sequência anual até de 4 anos a 4 anos e 11 meses; em seguida há uma faixa etária de 5 anos a 6 anos e 11 meses e, após, a faixa etária de 7 anos a 7 anos e 11 meses. O resultado foi então denominado de Avaliação Manual Infantil Geral e Objetiva - AMIGO. Foram observadas 2 crianças de cada grupo em cada faixa etária, sendo que as crianças com DT apresentaram, no geral, melhores pontuações quando comparadas às crianças com PC da mesma faixa etária. Considerações finais: a avaliação AMIGO foi considerada válida e alcançou seu objetivo principal. Ainda está, porém, em processo de construção e, em estudos futuros, passará por mais duas fases de construção, sendo elas a fase III - avaliação quantitativa e a fase IV - validação, para que possa ser considerada totalmente válida e segura a sua utilização na prática clínica e na pesquisa científica. / Manual skills may be affected in cerebral palsy (CP), interfering with functional activities of child\'s daily life, such as eating, toileting, playing, which causes negative impact on child´s life and family. Objective: To develop, implement and analyze an evaluation protocol to assess manual children function with CP, aged between 0-7 years and 11 months old. Method: This study was divided into two stages - 1) planning: setting goals and target population, literature review on existing instruments, types of items and instrument format, 2) Construction: Construction I -development of items, selection of instruments used as basis of the protocol, selection of relevant items by age group, item analysis and protocol adjustment; Pilot Project - protocol application with 36 children 0-7 years, 11 months, 18 CP childerb and 18 children with typical development (TD), item analysis and protocol adjustment; Construction II - Content validation by professional / experienced researchers (experts) in the area, preparation and submission of the questionnaire to expert judges, items review (item inclusion or exclusion), analysis of experts evaluations and suitability of the protocol. Results: We selected 238 items, 38 items Revised Knox Preschool Scale (RKPPS) 126 items from Operationalized Portage Inventory (IPO), 32 from Denver II Developmental Screening Test (DDST-R) 38 from Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI) and 4 from Manual of Motor Evaluation - Motor Development Scale (MAM-EDM). All items were reviewed. We grouped 161 recurring items, totalizing 120 items, which we applied both in CP children and with CP and TD children. After the implementation, we performed a new protocol analysis and 6 similar items were grouped, 2 items divided and 7 items excluded, totalizing 109 items, which were sent as questionnaire to the expert judges. Further, experts assessments were analyzed and then 3 items were grouped, 1 item subdivided, and 7 items deleted, coming to a final protocol with 101 items, divided into eight age groups: 0-5 months of 6 months to 11 months, 1 year to 1 year and 11 months and, subsequentially, the annual sequence till 4 years to 4 years and 11 months; then there is an age group between 5 years and 6 years and 11 months, and after the age of 7 years to 7 years and 11 months. The resulting product was then called Children´s Manual Assessment General and Objective - AMIGO. Two children in each group were observed at each age, and children with TD had, overall, better scores compared to children with CP in each age group. The final considerations were that AMIGO has been valid and reached its main goal. But it is still under construction, and in future studies it will go through two more stages of construction, which were phase III - quantitative assessment and phase IV - validation, in order to be considered valid and secure to be uesd in clinical practice and in scientific research.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive technique that can be used to assess the integrity neuronal circuits in the motor cortex, both at the intrahemispheric and interhemispheric level. In the present study, TMS was used to examine age-related modulation of corticospinal function. Participants underwent hand function testing to examine possible links between TMS measures and manual ability. Participants consisted of healthy young (n=13) and senior (n=17) right-handed individuals. Hand function testing consisted of a battery of tests administered bilaterally to assess each participant’s dexterity, strength, movement speed and reaction time. The following TMS measures were assessed bilaterally: resting motor threshold, recruitment curve and silent periods of the contralateral and ipsilateral hand. Both young and senior subjects showed significant intermanual differences in most behavioral measures, favoring their dominant right hand. There was an age-related difference in TMS measures indicating a decline in intrahemispheric excitability and interhemispheric inhibition. A general trend linking specific TMS measures in the active state with age-related changes in hand function on the dominant hand was found. Our results suggest that TMS markers of corticospinal excitability can be used to predict declining hand function with age and thus could provide an early diagnosis of pathological aging.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive technique that can be used to assess the integrity neuronal circuits in the motor cortex, both at the intrahemispheric and interhemispheric level. In the present study, TMS was used to examine age-related modulation of corticospinal function. Participants underwent hand function testing to examine possible links between TMS measures and manual ability. Participants consisted of healthy young (n=13) and senior (n=17) right-handed individuals. Hand function testing consisted of a battery of tests administered bilaterally to assess each participant’s dexterity, strength, movement speed and reaction time. The following TMS measures were assessed bilaterally: resting motor threshold, recruitment curve and silent periods of the contralateral and ipsilateral hand. Both young and senior subjects showed significant intermanual differences in most behavioral measures, favoring their dominant right hand. There was an age-related difference in TMS measures indicating a decline in intrahemispheric excitability and interhemispheric inhibition. A general trend linking specific TMS measures in the active state with age-related changes in hand function on the dominant hand was found. Our results suggest that TMS markers of corticospinal excitability can be used to predict declining hand function with age and thus could provide an early diagnosis of pathological aging.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive technique that can be used to assess the integrity neuronal circuits in the motor cortex, both at the intrahemispheric and interhemispheric level. In the present study, TMS was used to examine age-related modulation of corticospinal function. Participants underwent hand function testing to examine possible links between TMS measures and manual ability. Participants consisted of healthy young (n=13) and senior (n=17) right-handed individuals. Hand function testing consisted of a battery of tests administered bilaterally to assess each participant’s dexterity, strength, movement speed and reaction time. The following TMS measures were assessed bilaterally: resting motor threshold, recruitment curve and silent periods of the contralateral and ipsilateral hand. Both young and senior subjects showed significant intermanual differences in most behavioral measures, favoring their dominant right hand. There was an age-related difference in TMS measures indicating a decline in intrahemispheric excitability and interhemispheric inhibition. A general trend linking specific TMS measures in the active state with age-related changes in hand function on the dominant hand was found. Our results suggest that TMS markers of corticospinal excitability can be used to predict declining hand function with age and thus could provide an early diagnosis of pathological aging.

As habilidades manuais podem estar prejudicadas na paralisia cerebral (PC), interferindo nas atividades funcionais do cotidiano da criança, como alimentar-se, ir ao banheiro, brincar, o que ocasiona impacto negativo na vida dela e da família. Objetivo: elaborar, aplicar e analisar um protocolo de avaliação da função manual de crianças com PC, de 0 a 7 anos e 11 meses de idade. Método: estudo dividido em 2 etapas - 1) planejamento: definição de objetivo e população alvo, realização de revisão da literatura sobre instrumentos já existentes, tipos de itens e formato de instrumento, 2) construção: construção I -desenvolvimento dos itens, seleção dos instrumentos utilizados como base do protocolo, seleção dos itens relevantes por faixa etária, análise dos itens e adequação do protocolo; projeto piloto - aplicação do protocolo junto a 36 crianças de 0 a 7 anos e 11 meses, sendo 18 com PC e 18 com desenvolvimento típico (DT), análise dos itens e adequação do protocolo; construção II - validação de conteúdo por profissionais/pesquisadores experientes (experts) na área, elaboração e envio do questionário aos juízes especialistas, revisão dos itens (inclusão e exclusão), análise das avaliações dos especialistas e adequação do protocolo. Resultados: foram selecionados 238 itens, sendo 38 itens da Escala Lúdica Pré Escolar de Knox (ELPKR), 126 do Inventário Portage Operacionalizado (IPO), 32 do Teste de Triagem de Desenvolvimento de Denver II (TTDD-R), 38 do Inventário de Avaliação Pediátrica de Incapacidade (PEDI) e 4 do Manual de Avaliação Motora - Escala de Desenvolvimento Motor (MAM-EDM). Todos os itens foram revisados. Realizou-se o agrupamento de 161 itens recorrentes, totalizando 120 itens, os quais foram aplicados em crianças com PC e DT. Após a aplicação, em nova análise do protocolo, foram agrupados 6 itens semelhantes, divididos 2 e excluídos 7, totalizando 109 itens, os quais foram enviados em forma de questionário para os juízes especialistas. Na sequência, as avaliações dos experts foram analisadas e, então, 3 itens foram agrupados, 1 item subdividido e 7 itens excluídos, chegando-se a um protocolo final com 101 itens, divididos em 8 faixas etárias: de 0 a 5 meses, de 6 meses a 11 meses, de 1 ano a 1 ano e 11 meses e, sucessivamente, na sequência anual até de 4 anos a 4 anos e 11 meses; em seguida há uma faixa etária de 5 anos a 6 anos e 11 meses e, após, a faixa etária de 7 anos a 7 anos e 11 meses. O resultado foi então denominado de Avaliação Manual Infantil Geral e Objetiva - AMIGO. Foram observadas 2 crianças de cada grupo em cada faixa etária, sendo que as crianças com DT apresentaram, no geral, melhores pontuações quando comparadas às crianças com PC da mesma faixa etária. Considerações finais: a avaliação AMIGO foi considerada válida e alcançou seu objetivo principal. Ainda está, porém, em processo de construção e, em estudos futuros, passará por mais duas fases de construção, sendo elas a fase III - avaliação quantitativa e a fase IV - validação, para que possa ser considerada totalmente válida e segura a sua utilização na prática clínica e na pesquisa científica. / Manual skills may be affected in cerebral palsy (CP), interfering with functional activities of child\'s daily life, such as eating, toileting, playing, which causes negative impact on child´s life and family. Objective: To develop, implement and analyze an evaluation protocol to assess manual children function with CP, aged between 0-7 years and 11 months old. Method: This study was divided into two stages - 1) planning: setting goals and target population, literature review on existing instruments, types of items and instrument format, 2) Construction: Construction I -development of items, selection of instruments used as basis of the protocol, selection of relevant items by age group, item analysis and protocol adjustment; Pilot Project - protocol application with 36 children 0-7 years, 11 months, 18 CP childerb and 18 children with typical development (TD), item analysis and protocol adjustment; Construction II - Content validation by professional / experienced researchers (experts) in the area, preparation and submission of the questionnaire to expert judges, items review (item inclusion or exclusion), analysis of experts evaluations and suitability of the protocol. Results: We selected 238 items, 38 items Revised Knox Preschool Scale (RKPPS) 126 items from Operationalized Portage Inventory (IPO), 32 from Denver II Developmental Screening Test (DDST-R) 38 from Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI) and 4 from Manual of Motor Evaluation - Motor Development Scale (MAM-EDM). All items were reviewed. We grouped 161 recurring items, totalizing 120 items, which we applied both in CP children and with CP and TD children. After the implementation, we performed a new protocol analysis and 6 similar items were grouped, 2 items divided and 7 items excluded, totalizing 109 items, which were sent as questionnaire to the expert judges. Further, experts assessments were analyzed and then 3 items were grouped, 1 item subdivided, and 7 items deleted, coming to a final protocol with 101 items, divided into eight age groups: 0-5 months of 6 months to 11 months, 1 year to 1 year and 11 months and, subsequentially, the annual sequence till 4 years to 4 years and 11 months; then there is an age group between 5 years and 6 years and 11 months, and after the age of 7 years to 7 years and 11 months. The resulting product was then called Children´s Manual Assessment General and Objective - AMIGO. Two children in each group were observed at each age, and children with TD had, overall, better scores compared to children with CP in each age group. The final considerations were that AMIGO has been valid and reached its main goal. But it is still under construction, and in future studies it will go through two more stages of construction, which were phase III - quantitative assessment and phase IV - validation, in order to be considered valid and secure to be uesd in clinical practice and in scientific research.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive technique that can be used to assess the integrity neuronal circuits in the motor cortex, both at the intrahemispheric and interhemispheric level. In the present study, TMS was used to examine age-related modulation of corticospinal function. Participants underwent hand function testing to examine possible links between TMS measures and manual ability. Participants consisted of healthy young (n=13) and senior (n=17) right-handed individuals. Hand function testing consisted of a battery of tests administered bilaterally to assess each participant’s dexterity, strength, movement speed and reaction time. The following TMS measures were assessed bilaterally: resting motor threshold, recruitment curve and silent periods of the contralateral and ipsilateral hand. Both young and senior subjects showed significant intermanual differences in most behavioral measures, favoring their dominant right hand. There was an age-related difference in TMS measures indicating a decline in intrahemispheric excitability and interhemispheric inhibition. A general trend linking specific TMS measures in the active state with age-related changes in hand function on the dominant hand was found. Our results suggest that TMS markers of corticospinal excitability can be used to predict declining hand function with age and thus could provide an early diagnosis of pathological aging.