Electronic device use and fine motor dexterity and handwriting in grade 2 elementary school children.
Date
2015
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Abstract
Aim: The study aimed to investigate whether a correlation exists in the electronic device
usage and fine motor dexterity and handwriting in Grade 2 elementary male and female
children.
Methodology: A quantitative, correlation study design was utilized. Stratified sampling was
employed to select n=34, grade 2 children together with their parents/primary caregivers. A
parental self-administered questionnaire measured the electronic device type and frequency
of use by the children. The children’s fine motor dexterity was measured with the Nine-Hole-
Peg-Test and handwriting was measured with the Minnesota Handwriting Assessment. Data
was analysed using SPSS version 22.
Results and Discussion: Touch screen cellular phones and standard size tablet computers
were most frequently used. The mean total time per week spent on electronic devices
amounted to 9.3 hours and 5.5 hours per week across all mobile devices. Statistical
significant correlations were measured for; total device use and total handwriting score
(rho=0.110), total device use and non-dominant hand’s dexterity (rho=0.137), weak trunk
stability and handwriting speed (p=0.007), male children’s handwriting speed was superior
(p=0.015) and female children’s form of handwriting was superior (p=0.005), male children
used handheld videogames more than female children (p=0.001).
Conclusions: A weak positive correlation exists between the total time spent on electronic
device usage in a week and non-dominant dexterity and handwriting. This implies that more
frequent total electronic device usage per week has a higher handwriting total score but
weaker non-dominant hand dexterity as a result. No correlation existed between total usage
and dominant dexterity. Gender differentials revealed that males displayed faster and
superior total scores in handwriting, females displayed superior scores for form, alignment
and spacing and dominant/non-dominant hands’ dexterity.
Description
Master of Hand Rehabilitation. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville 2015.
Keywords
Occupational therapy for children., Electronic apparatus and appliances., Motor ability in children--Physiological aspects., Children--Writing--Ability testing., Theses--Occupational therapy., Hand rehabilitation., Electronic device., Motor dexterity., Handwriting.