Prehension is a fundamental skill usually performed as part of a complex action sequence in everyday tasks. Using an information processing framework, these studies examined the effects of task complexity, defined by the number of component movement elements (MEs), on performance of prehension tasks. Of interest was how motor control and organisation might be influenced by age and/or motor competence. Three studies and two longitudinal case studies examined kinematic characteristics of prehension tasks involving one-, two- and three-MEs: reach and grasp (low-complexity); reach, grasp and object placement (moderate-complexity); and reach, grasp and double placement of object (high-complexity). A pilot study established the suitability of tasks and procedures for children aged 5-, 8- and 11-years and showed that responses to task complexity and object size manipulations were sensitive to developmental changes, with increasing age associated with faster movements. Study 2 explored complexity and age effects further for children aged 6- and 11-years and adults. Increasing age was associated with shorter and less variable movement times (MTs) and proportional deceleration phases (%DTs) across all MEs. Task complexity had no effect on simple reaction time (SRT), suggesting that there may be little preprogramming of movements beyond the first ME. In addition, MT was longer and more on-line corrections were evident for the high- compared to the moderate-complexity task for ME1. Task complexity had a greater influence on movements in ME2 and ME3 than ME1. Adults, but not children, showed task specific adaptations in ME2. Study 3 examined performance of children with different levels of motor competence aged between 5- and 10-years. Increasing age was associated with shorter SRTs, and MTs for ME1 only. A decrease in motor competence was associated with greater difficulty in planning and controlling movements as indicated by longer SRTs, higher %DTs and more on-line corrections, especially in ME2. Task complexity affected movements in all MEs, with a greater influence on ME1 compared to Study 2. Findings also indicated that performance in MEs following prehension may be especially sensitive to motor competence effects on movement characteristics. Case studies for two children at risk of Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) revealed two different patterns of performance change over a 16-17 month period, highlighting the heterogeneous nature of DCD. Overall, findings highlighted age-related differences, and the role of motor competence, in the ability to adapt movements to task specific requirements. Results are useful in guiding movement education programmes for children with both age-appropriate and lower levels of motor competence.

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This thesis is occupied with the issues of development of the fine motor skills and graphomotorics of an individual suffering from the central mobility disorder. The main aim of the thesis is to discover and describe what development possibilities of these abilities and skills are. The theoretical part deals with basic terms related to diagnosis of Cerebrovascular accident (CVA) and its rehabilitation options. There are also described the fine motor skills, graphomotorics, grasping process, classification of grasps and their development. There is a separate chapter that is engaged only with development of the fine motor skills and graphomotorics. The thesis also contains evaluation surveys that are applied in practice and that are important for comparison before and after a therapeutic intervention. The practical part is based on qualitative oriented methodology and it operates with data gained from five case studies. Based on comparison of values gained from the entry and control examinations, particular data have been elaborated. It was discovered from the performed research that it had come up to improvement of the fine motor skills as well as graphomotorics by use of various therapeutic methods. Each method had been chosen in accordance with the client's current condition and their individual...

Abstract The purpose of this study is to gain a deeper understanding of the teacher's approach to writing instruction and their view of fine motor development and fine motor difficulties for students in grades 1-3. By comparing a selection of teachers’ approaches to writing tuition and fine motor skills, with previous research it expects to gain a deeper understanding of the objective. In the study, qualitative semi-structured interviews and participant observation was used as a method. These interviews and observations were made with seven active Swedish teachers in grades 1-3. This gives an insight into teachers' views on fine motor skills and education, as well as how they see the adjustment of the writing instruction to students with fine motor difficulties. The results show that most of the teachers who participated in the study linked fine motor difficulties to the way students holding a pencil, as well as how they shape the letters. Most of the teachers say that they don´t practice fine motor exercises in the classroom, although the results shows that often it is done unconsciously. The first letter of the learning takes place mostly from a formal perspective. In most cases, when the first letter of the learning process is complete, the writing instruction, to some extent, starts from a functional perspective. / Sammanfattning Syftet med denna studie är att få en fördjupad förståelse för lärares förhållningssätt till skrivundervisning och deras syn på finmotorisk utveckling och finmotoriska svårigheter hos elever i årskurs 1-3. Genom att jämföra ett urval lärares förhållningssätt till skrivundervisning och finmotorik samt att jämföra detta med tidigare forskning förväntas en fördjupad förståelse för syftet att införskaffas. I studien har kvalitativa semistrukturerade intervjuer och deltagande observationer använts som metod. Dessa intervjuer samt observationer har skett med sju verksamma svensklärare i årskurs 1-3. Detta ger en inblick i lärarnas syn på finmotorik och skrivundervisning samt hur de ser på anpassning av skrivundervisning till elever med finmotoriska svårigheter. Resultatet visar att de flesta lärare som medverkat i studien kopplar finmotoriska svårigheter till hur eleverna håller i en penna och hur de formar bokstäver. Några uttalade finmotoriska övningar sker inte i klassrummet, ändå sker dessa övningar många gånger, men då omedvetet. Den första bokstavsinlärningen visar sig till största del ske utifrån ett formellt perspektiv. När den första bokstavsinlärningen är färdig så övergår skrivundervisningen, i de flesta fall, även med utgångspunkt ur ett funktionellt perspektiv.

Title: Motor performance of pupils with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Objectives: The aim of the work was to determine the level of fine and gross motor skills of upper extremities of the pupils with diagnosis ADHD at schools specialized on these pupils and compare it with the fine and gross motor skills of upper extremities of children without this diagnosis at common elementary school. Further work objective was to determine the level of gross motor skills of lower limbs and laterality of paired organs (hand - foot) within above mentioned groups of pupils. Methods: To determine the level of fine and gross motor skills of upper extremities, gross motor skills of lower limbs, laterality of the upper and lower extremities of the pupils with and without ADHD aged 9-11 years we used these types of tests: "Spiral", "Dotting test", "Beads" (the level of fine motor skills of the upper extremities); "Pack", "Small plate tapping", "Big plate tapping" (the level of gross motor skills of upper extremities); "Tapping the leg" (the level of gross motor skills of the lower limbs); "Typing out the Rhythm" (the laterality of the lower limbs); "Bell" and "Matches" (the laterality of the upper extremities). Results: The fine motor level of dominant hand was in the case of ADHD diagnosed pupils...

Sensory motor deficits, although not part of the diagnostic criteria, are frequently reported in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The ob jective of this project is to study the temporal and spatial dynamics of an approximately periodic motor activity (circle drawing) in children with ASD. The natural rhythm of periodic motor activities such as circle drawing are known to exhibit statistical persistence in typically developing individuals. A sample of 15 children aged 4 to 8 years, with a primary diagnosis of ASD were asked to draw circles using a computerized tablet and pen, which record spatio-temporal data. Results were compared with those of 19 typically developing children. While no differences were seen in statistical persistence, differences were observed in timing of discontinuous circle drawing and in kinetic process variable such as grip and axial forces. Understanding the specific nature of graphomotor deficits is the first step towards developing targeted treatment for these impairments.

Sensory motor deficits, although not part of the diagnostic criteria, are frequently reported in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The ob jective of this project is to study the temporal and spatial dynamics of an approximately periodic motor activity (circle drawing) in children with ASD. The natural rhythm of periodic motor activities such as circle drawing are known to exhibit statistical persistence in typically developing individuals. A sample of 15 children aged 4 to 8 years, with a primary diagnosis of ASD were asked to draw circles using a computerized tablet and pen, which record spatio-temporal data. Results were compared with those of 19 typically developing children. While no differences were seen in statistical persistence, differences were observed in timing of discontinuous circle drawing and in kinetic process variable such as grip and axial forces. Understanding the specific nature of graphomotor deficits is the first step towards developing targeted treatment for these impairments.

Insultas – ūminis fokalinis galvos smegenų ar tinklainės kraujotakos nepakankamumas, pasireiškiantis židininiais neurologiniais simptomais, trunkančiais ilgiau kaip 24 valandas [9]. Insultas yra ne tik didelė socialinė, bet ir ekonominė problema. Išsivysčiusių šalių duomenimis, 50% persirgusių insultu žmonių lieka laikinai arba nuolat neįgalūs, apie 10% reikia slaugos ir tik 20% ligonių vėl būna darbingi [4]. Ergoterapijos taikymas, atsižvelgiant į vyraujančius veiklos sutrikimus, yra neatskiriama kompleksinės reabilitacijos dalis. Ergoterapeutas yra reabilitacijos komandos narys, todėl nuolat konsultuodamasis su kitais jos nariais gali parinkti tinkamas ligoniui ergoterapijos priemones bei metodiką [7]. Apibendrinant literatūros duomenis galima pasakyti, kad ankstyvas ir kartojamas rankos aktyvinimas lėmė kliniškai svarbų, ilgai išliekantį poveikį. Ligoniai po GSI turėtų būti drąsinami, skatinami intensyviai lavinti pažeistą ranką [22]. Tyrimas buvo atliktas Apskrities ligoninės ir Kauno antros klinikinės ligoninės fizinės medicinos ir reabilitacijos poskyriuose. Tyrime dalyvavo 30 ligonių, patyrusių galvos smegenų infarktą, iš jų 11 (37%) vyrų ir 19 (63%) moterų. Ligonių amžiaus vidurkis – 70,5 ± 1,7 metų. Vyrų amžiaus vidurkis buvo 63,6 ± 2,9 metų, moterų amžiaus vidurkis buvo 74,5 ± 1,5 metų. Visiems tyrime dalyvavusiems ligoniams buvo nustatytas smulkiosios motorikos sutrikimas. Ligoniai buvo atrinkti naudojant ergoterapeuto apklausos anketą, kurią sudarė 10 užduočių... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / Stroke is sudden deficiency of blood circulation in brain that shows itself in focal neurological symptoms lasting more than 24 hours [9]. Stroke is not only social but and economic problem. Due to economicaly developed countrys data approximately 50% patients after stroke statys disabled temporary or for a life time, 10% needs nursing and only 20% patients can work again [4]. Occupational therapy is a inseperable part of rehabilitation. Occupational therapist is a member of a rehabilitation team therefore by consulting with other team member he can choose the best devices and methodics for the patient [7]. In concluding the literature it should be said that early and repetitive activation of the hand can cause clinicaly important and long lasting effect. Patients after stroke should be encouraged to train the affected arm [22]. This research was accomplished at District hospital and 2-nd Kaunas clinical hospital corporal medical department. There were tested 30 patients: 11 (37%) men and 19 (63%) women. The patients age average was – 70,5 ± 1,7 years. Mens age average was 63,6 ± 2,9 years and womens age average was – 74,5 ± 1,5 years. All patients who took part in this research were right-habded and had disorder of fine motor skills. For this research patients were screened by using a questionnaire. This questionnaire consisted of 10 tasks which helped occupational therapist to assess fine motor skills. The assessment of fine motor skills was done when the patients... [to full text]

Tyrimo objektas: smulkiosios motorikos ir funkcinio savarankiškumo kaita pirminės reabilitacijos eigoje. Tyrimo problema: kadangi kiekvieno sergančiojo insultu reabilitacija turi skirtingų krypčių poreikius, o literatūroje iki šiol nėra apibrėţtos stratifikacijos ir reabilitacijos programų individualizavimo krypčių, skirtų insulto paţeistos rankos judesių valdymui atgauti (Meldrum, 2004), siekiant efektyviai panaudoti reabilitacijos išteklius, svarbu numatyti galimas ligos baigtis (Milinavičienė ir kt., 2007). Todėl analizavome smulkiosios motorikos atsigavimą pirminės reabilitacijos etape pacientams, patyrusiems išeminį galvos smegenų insultą, siekiant įvardinti nors kelis atskaitos taškus formuojant kineziterapijos artimuosius bei tolimuosius tikslus – retrospektyviai perţiūrint įgyvendintus tikslus, keltus tipiškos funkcinės būklės tiriamųjų grupei – kuriuos matome rezultatų analizėje. Tyrimo tikslas: išanalizuoti ir įvertinti pacientų, patyrusių išeminį galvos smegenų insultą, smulkiosios motorikos atsigavimą bei funkcinio savarankiškumo kaitą, pirminės reabilitacijos eigoje. Tyrimo uţdaviniai: 1. Ištirti ir įvardinti dominuojantį smulkiosios motorikos atsigavimą pirminės reabilitacijos eigoje; 2. Ištirti ir įvertinti pacientų funkcinio savarankiškumo kaitą, pirminės reabilitacijos eigoje; Tyrimo hipotezė: pirminės reabilitacijos etape artimieji bei tolimieji kineziterapijos tikslai turėtų atitikti paciento regeneracinį potencialą, kuris taip pat galėtų būti įvertintas... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / Study subject: the dynamis of interchange of fine motor and functional independence in the process of the initial rehabilitation. The problem of the study: the rehabilitation of each patient suffering from stroke has different requirements, however, to this date literature does not indicate defined individualisation types of stratification and rehabilitation programmes, assigned to recover the control of stroke affected hand/arm movement (Meldrum, 2004). In order to effectively use rehabilitation resources, it is important to foresee the possible consequences of the disease (Milinavičienė ir kt., 2007). Therefore we analysed the fine motor recovery at the initial rehabilitation stage in the patients who had suffered ischemic head brain stroke. Study aim: to analyse and evaluate patients‘, who had suffered ischemic head brain stroke, the small motor post stroke recovery as well as the change in functional independence in the initial rehabilitation stage. Study goals: 1. To examine and name the dominant fine motor recovery in the initial rehabilitation stage; 2. to examine and evaluate change in patients‘ functional independence in the initial rehabilitation stage; Hypothesis: at the initial rehabilitation stage the short-term and long-term physio-therapeutic goals have to match a patient‘s regenerative potential, which can also be evaluated with reference to the initial functional stage at a patient‘s arrival to hospital. Study methods: Barthel test measuring a patient‘s... [to full text]

Alkoholinio vaisiaus sindromo sąvoka yra labai plati, ja apibūdinamas kūdikio ar vaiko negrįžtamų anomalijų rinkinys (Lombard et al., 2007). Sindromas pasireiškia motorinio, socialinio, pažintinio ir kalbos vystymosi sutrikimais (Steinhausen et al., 2003), todėl AVS sergantiems asmenims taikomas kompleksinis gydymas (Burd et al., 2003). Tyrimo objektas – alkoholiniu vaisiaus sindromu sergančių vaikų stambioji ir smulkioji motorika. Tyrimo problema – nėra aišku, kokia kineziterapijos ar fizinio aktyvumo forma tinkamiausia alkoholinį vaisiaus sindromą turintiems vaikams, kad gerėtų stambioji ir smulkioji motorika. Darbo tikslas – nustatyti kineziterapijos poveikį vaikų stambiajai ir smulkiajai motorikai esant alkoholiniam vaisiaus sindromui. Šiam tikslui pasiekti iškelti uždaviniai: 1) Įvertinti stambiosios motorikos rodiklius vaikams, turintiems alkoholinį vaisiaus sindromą, taikant bendralavinančius pratimus (kontrolinė grupė) ir judriuosius žaidimus (tiriamoji grupė) prieš ir po kineziterapijos. 2) Įvertinti smulkiosios motorikos rodiklius vaikams, turintiems alkoholinį vaisiaus sindromą, taikant bendralavinančius pratimus (kontrolinė grupė) ir judriuosius žaidimus (tiriamoji grupė) prieš ir po kineziterapijos; 3) palyginti stambiosios ir smulkiosios motorikos rezultatus tarp vaikų, kuriems taikyti bendralavinantys pratimai ir judrieji žaidimai; 4) palyginti bendrą standartinį motorikos rodiklį tarp vaikų, kuriems taikyti bendralavinantys pratimai ir vaikų, kuriems taikyti... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / Fetal alcohol syndrome is an umbrella term used to describe the irreversible array of anomalies associated with in utero alcohol exposure (Lombard et al, 2007). Fetal alcohol syndrome manifestes by developmental perturbation in motor, social, cognitive and language domain (Steinhaussen et al, 2003). Appropriate management nearly always involves a multidisciplinary team effort with ongoing programming (Burd et al, 2003). Subject: gross and fine motor in children with fetal alcohol syndrome. Problem: there is no clear evidence about the most proper form of physiotherapy or physical activity on purpose to improve gross and fine motor functions in children with fetal alcohol syndrome. Objective: to determine the effectiveness of physiotherapy on gross and fine motor in children with fetal alcohol syndrome. There are four tasks to reach an objective: 1) to determine gross motor indexes for children with fetal alcohol syndrome in casual physiotherapy group (control) and active playing group (investigative) before and after physiotherapy; 2) to determine fine motor indexes for children with fetal alcohol syndrome in casual physiotherapy group (control) and active playing group (investigative) before and after physiotherapy; 3) to compare fine and gross motor indexes between the casual physiotherapy group and active playing group; 4) to compare standard motor score between the casual physiotherapy group (control) and active playing group (investigative); The fine and gross motor... [to full text]