title: Arm trajectories and writing strategy in healthy children.
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.
authors.affiliation: Don Carlo Gnocchi ONLUS Foundation, Piazzale Morandi 6, Milan, 20121, Italy. mchiappedi@dongnocchi.it
authors.forename: Matteo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chiappedi
authors.forename: Rosella
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Togni
authors.forename: Elisabetta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: De Bernardi
authors.forename: Ilaria Maria Carlotta
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Baschenis
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Battezzato
authors.forename: Umberto
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Balottin
authors.forename: Elena Dalla
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Toffola
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bejor
mesh_terms: D001132:Arm / Q000502:physiology*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology*; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D014956:Writing