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Electronic device use and fine motor dexterity and handwriting in grade 2 elementary school children.

dc.contributor.advisorGovender, Pragashnie.
dc.contributor.advisorMcIntyre, June.
dc.contributor.authorKeller, Monique Marie.
dc.date.accessioned2017-02-14T07:28:12Z
dc.date.available2017-02-14T07:28:12Z
dc.date.created2015
dc.date.issued2015
dc.descriptionMaster of Hand Rehabilitation. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville 2015.en_US
dc.description.abstractAim: 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.en_US
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10413/14078
dc.language.isoen_ZAen_US
dc.subjectOccupational therapy for children.en_US
dc.subjectElectronic apparatus and appliances.en_US
dc.subjectMotor ability in children--Physiological aspects.en_US
dc.subjectChildren--Writing--Ability testing.en_US
dc.subjectTheses--Occupational therapy.en_US
dc.subjectHand rehabilitation.en_US
dc.subjectElectronic device.en_US
dc.subjectMotor dexterity.en_US
dc.subjectHandwriting.en_US
dc.subject.otherFine motor dexterity.en_US
dc.subject.otherHandwriting.en_US
dc.subject.otherGrade 2.en_US
dc.subject.otherElectronic devices.en_US
dc.titleElectronic device use and fine motor dexterity and handwriting in grade 2 elementary school children.en_US
dc.typeThesisen_US

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