Effect of task context on reaching performance in children with spastic hemiparesis.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of task context on the quality of reaching movements in children with spastic hemiparesis.


METHODS
Randomized controlled experimental trial.


METHODS
Institute for the Study of Education and Human Development (ISED).


METHODS
Twelve children (8-14 years of age) with spastic hemiplegic cerebral palsy.


METHODS
Subjects made fast reaching movements with the affected or nonaffected arm on a digitizer in three context conditions: (a) reach to press a light switch to turn on a red light (functional), (b) reach to press the light switch; no light (semi-functional), and (c) reach to a marker (nonfunctional).


METHODS
Kinematics of reaching movements of affected and nonaffected arms: movement time (MT), peak velocity (PV), time to PV, percentage of MT where peak velocity occurred (PPV), and smoothness (i.e. number of movement units (MU)).


RESULTS
The functional condition elicited better quality of reaching for the nonaffected, but particularly the affected arm. Reaching of the affected arm was faster (larger MT; F = 10.21, p < 0.01), smoother (fewer MU; F = 19.95, p < 0.001), and better-controlled (right shift of PPV; F = 16.03, p < 0.001) compared with the semi- and nonfunctional condition. Reaching of the nonaffected arm was also faster (longer MT, F = 4.81, p < 0.05), and more smooth (fewer MU, F = 7.23, p < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that providing a functional context to perform a task may enhance the quality of reaching movements of the affected arm in children with spastic hemiparesis.
Volman
M J M
MJ
Utrecht University, Institute for the Study of Education and Human Development, Faculty of Social Sciences, The Netherlands. m.volman@fss.uu.nl
Wijnroks
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Vermeer
Adri
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D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006040:Goals; D006429:Hemiplegia / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000503:physiopathology*