Evaluating Fine Motor Coordination in Children Who Are Not Ready for Handwriting: Which Test Should We Take?

Abstract

When children are not ready to write, assessment of fine motor coordination may be indicated. The purpose of this study was to evaluate which fine motor test, the Nine-Hole Peg Test (9-HPT) or the newly developed Timed Test of In-Hand Manipulation (Timed-TIHM), correlates best with handwriting readiness as measured by the Writing Readiness Inventory Tool In Context-Task Performance (WRITIC-TP). From the 119 participating children, 43 were poor performers. Convergent validity of the 9-HPT and Timed-TIHM with WRITIC-TP was determined, and test-retest reliability of the Timed-TIHM was examined in 59 children. The results showed that correlations of the 9-HPT and Timed-TIHM with the WRITIC-TP were similar (rs = À0.40). The 9-HPT and the complex rotation subtask of the Timed-TIHM had a low correlation with the WRITIC-TP in poor performers (rs = À0.30 and À0.32 respectively). Test-retest reliability of the Timed-TIHM was significant (Intraclass Correlation Coefficient = 0.71). Neither of these two fine motor tests is appeared superior. They both relate to different aspects of fine motor performance. One of the limitations of the methodology was unequal numbers of children in subgroups. It is recommended that further research is indicated to evaluate the relation between development of fine motor coordination and handwriting proficiency, on the Timed-TIHM in different age groups.

Quantitative description of upper extremity function and activity of people with spinal muscular atrophy

“…Also, we found a moderate correlation between the PUL score and hand function (i.e., the Nine-Hole Peg Test and Timed TIHM), indicating that both scales measure different aspects of UE function and therefore should be examined separately in clinical practices. This finding is [16]. The occurrence of contractures, i.e., decreased passive range of motion, was relatively uncommon.…”

“…who found a moderate correlation between the Nine-Hole Peg Test and the Timed TIHM and stated that the tests measure different aspects. They found that the Timed-TIHM evaluates complex patterns, including hand manipulation skills and that the Nine-Hole Peg Test evaluates simple patterns of fine motor coordination, e.g., picking up, placing, and releasing pegs [ 16 ]. The occurrence of contractures, i.e., decreased passive range of motion, was relatively uncommon.…”

“…Following the International Classification for Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF), functional scales were used to gain more insight into the participant's activity level to by asking them to perform tasks closely related to daily activities. The scales that we used were: the Nine-Hole Peg Test [15], the Timed TIHM [16], and the PUL scale [17]. All tests were conducted by a trained examiner in a standardized environment.…”

“…A low number dropped pegs and a low execution time indicate better hand function. The Timed TIHM was performed twice with the preferred hand in accordance with the procedures described by de Vries et al [16]. For each of the three tasks (translation from finger to palm, translation from palm to finger, and complex rotation of 360°), we scored the time needed to complete the task and made notes about the number of pegs that were dropped, the participant's use of the other hand and their sliding of pegs across the surface.…”

Reliability and validity of Handwriting Test for Preschool Children (HT-PRE): A new tool to assess the handwriting ability of preschool children aged 5–6 years old in Mainland China

“…Handwriting is a complex perceptual-motor skill that involves a combination of visualmotor coordination abilities, motor planning, cognitive, and perceptual skills, as well as tactile and kinesthetic sensitivities [4,[9][10][11]. Before children develop mature handwriting skills, they must experience several typical stages, including "drawing", "invented letters", "random letters", "transcription words", and "developmental spelling" [12].…”