Study of age effect, reference standards an construct validity of an upper limb kinematics protocol : a prospective study in healthy children from 3 to 12 years old

Details

Supervisors

Detrembleur, Christine ; Gilliaux, Maxime

Faculty

Faculté des sciences de la motricité

Degree label

Master [60] en kinésithérapie et réadaptation

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The use of kinematics is recommended to objectively and quantitatively assess upper limb movements. The aims of this study were (1) obtaining a standards database, (2) assessing age effect, and (3) studying the construct validity of a protocol for upper limb kinematics among healthy children. This was executed with the REAplan, a distal effector robotic device. METHODS: The sample comprised 93 children, aged from 3 to 12 years. For the kinematic assessment, 44 indices were computed from four tasks. For the construct validity, the kinematic results were compared with the results of two subtests from the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency (BOTMP). These subtests assessed the children’s visual-motor control and their upper limb speed and dexterity. RESULTS: Over half of indices (27/44) showed a significant age effect and most of them improved significantly until the age of 6 (p≤0.01). Each task presented moderate correlation of kinematics with both BOTMP subtests, proving the construct validity of the protocol. DISCUSSION: This study was the first of its kind to obtain reference standards and to prove age effect and construct validity of a kinematics protocol for healthy children. Further research is needed to determine the evolution with age of the kinematic results after 12 years old. In addition, new studies should compare performances of a child with psycho-motor disorders or Cerebral Palsy to the standards for a healthy child.