Open Access
Subscription Access
Open Access
Subscription Access
The Effects of Upper Limb Exercises on Hand Writing Speed
Subscribe/Renew Journal
Introduction
Hand writing is an essential tool required by students. It is a complex process which involves close coordination between musculo skeletal and nervous systems.
Objective
To assess the effectiveness of upper limb exercises on handwriting speed.
Methodology
An interventional prospective study involving undergraduate students. Structured exercise programe was held five days a week (for about 20 minutes) for 4 weeks. Writing speed, strength of palmar pinch grip and upper limb coordination was measured at beginning, two and four weeks later.
Results
At the beginning hand writing speed was 23.9 wpm. The pinch grip strength and coordination of upper limb were, 3.8kg and 8.6 (pegs/15 seconds) respectively. Exercise programme showed statistical significant improvement in all 3 areas measured. There was a 21% improvement in hand writing speed, 41.7% improvement in Pinch grip strength of dominant hand and 11.9% improvement in upper limb coordination.
Conclusions
Uppers limb exercise programmes can be used to improve the hand writing speed.
Keywords
- Koppenhaver KM. Factors that cause changes in Handwriting. In Forensic document Examination. New Jersey, Humana Press Inc. 2007; pp27-36.
- Lawson DA. Tips for improving your handwriting [internet]. 2011 Feb 28 [cited 2 Mar 2011]; Available from: http://www. paperpenalia.com/handwriting.html.
- Ziviani, J. Some elaborations on handwriting speed in 7- to 14-years old: Perceptions and. Motor Skills.1984;58(2): 535-539.
- Alston J. Assessing and Promoting Writing Skills. Nasen Publication.1995.
- Hedderly R. Assessing Pupils with Specific Learning Difficulties for Examination Special Arrangements at GCSE, ‘A’-level and Degree-level. Educational Psychology in Practice.1996;12: 36-44.
- Wallen M, Bonney MA, Lennox L. The Handwriting Speed Test. Adelaide, Helios Art.1996.
- Berninger VW, Amtmann D. Preventing written expression disabilities through early and continuing assessment and intervention for handwriting and/or spelling problems: Research into practice. In H. L. Swanson, K. R. Harris, & S. Graham (Eds.), Handbook of learning disabilities. New York: Guilford. 2003;pp. 345-363
- Galbraith D, Roaf J, Rutherford SC., The role of handwriting in raising achievement [internet]. 2009 [cited 2009 May 02]. Available from: http://www.literacytrust.org.uk/research/ writingreviews.html
- Graham S, Berninger V, Weintraub N, Schafer W. Development of Handwriting Speed and Legibility in Grades 1–9. Journal of Educational Reseach.1998;92(1):42-52.
- Kao HSR. The Effects of Hand-Finger Exercise on Human Handwriting Performance. Ergonomics.1973;16:171-175.
- Nadine M, McCluskey A, Mayes R. The Log Handwriting Program Improved Children’s Writing Legibility: A Pretest– Posttest Study. The American journal of occupational therapy. 2010;64(1):30-6.
- Singh I. Muscles of Upper Extremity. In Anatomy and Physiology for physiotherapists, New Delhi, Jaypee Brothers. 2005;197-217.
- Daniel ME, Froude EH. Reliability of occupational therapist and teacher evaluations of handwriting quality of grade 5 and 6 primary school children: Australian Occupational Therapy Journal.1998;45(2): 48-58.
- Rubin N, Henderson SE. Two sides of the same coin: variations in teaching methods and failure to learn to write. British Journal of Special Education.1982;9(4):17-24
- Aldehag AS,.The effects of hand training in patients with Walander distal myopathy and Myotonic dystrophy type 1 [PhD thesis]. Stockholm: Karolinska Institute; 2009.
- Rosenblum S, Weiss PL, Parush S. Handwriting evaluation for developmental dysgraphia: Process versus product. Reading and writing. 2004;17(5):433-458.
- Schoemaker MM, Niemeijer AS, Reynders K, Smits- Engelsman BCM. Effectiveness of Neuromotor Task Training for Children with Developmental Coordination Disorder: A Pilot Study: Neural plasticity. 2003;10(1-2):155- 163.
- Zivani J, Watson-Will A. Writing speed and legibility of 7-14-year old school students using modern cursive script: Australian Occupational Therapy Journal.1998; 45(2):59-64
- Rogers MW, Wilder FV. The Effects of Strength Training among Persons with Hand Osteoarthritis: a Two-Year Follow-up Study. Journal of Hand Therapy. 2007;20(3):244- 250.
- Satheesha D, Ajay S. Effect of dominant hand training on intermanual transfer to sub dominant hand in patients with cerebral tumors: Indian Journal of Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy.2010;4(2):Absract.
- Bumin G, Kavak ST. An investigation of the factors affecting handwriting performance in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy. Disability and Rehabilitation. 2008; 30(18):1374-85.
- Peterson CQ, Nelson DL. Effect of an occupational intervention on printing in children with economic disadvantages: American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 2003; 57(2):152–160
Abstract Views: 1509
PDF Views: 0