Change in manual dexterity of student with cerebral palsy with the use of adequate school furniture

Abstract

A proper sitting posture, especially when it comes to students with cerebral palsy, seems to favor a functional improvement of upper limbs and, consequently, an improvement in motor performance during school activities and learning. In this context, the aim of this study was to verify the influence of furniture on the manual dexterity of the child with cerebral palsy during a tracing activity. Six students with a diagnosis of cerebral palsy participated in the study. For data collection the participants were positioned in adapted furniture and performed a previously elaborated tracing activity. This activity was repeated 10 times on each item of furniture used: 1) on furniture without initial adjustment (WIA); 2) on furniture with adjustment (WA); and 3) again on furniture without final adjustment (WFA). The tracing analysis was performed by using the MovAlyzeR 6.1 software. For the analysis of the data, the average of the performance for each variable in each item of furniture used was conducted. The data was then treated statistically and the variables analyzed: vertical velocity peak, vertical acceleration peak, jerk, stroke, activity execution time, pen pressure on paper, linear error and absolute size of the tracing activity. The results indicated that all participants presented difficulties in performing the tracing, however, the furniture adapted to the needs of the user influenced the variables vertical velocity peak and activity execution time. It is concluded that adequate furniture may influence the manual dexterity of students with cerebral palsy.