Associations Between Fundamental Motor Skill Domains and Physical Fitness Components in 5-11-Year-Old Children.

High competence in fundamental motor skills (FMS) and adequate physical fitness (PF) levels are a solid foundation for acquiring an active and healthy lifestyle during childhood and adolescence. In this cross-sectional study, we aimed to compare gender and age groups and identify correlations between FMS and PF in young elementary school students. We used a structured questionnaire to gather sociodemographic information from parents, and we characterized the children's economic profile with the Brazil Social Economic Status Criterion. We collected FMS data using the Furtado-Gallagher Children Observational Movement Pattern Assessment System (FG-COMPASS), and we used the Brazil Sports Project Battery Test to measure PF levels. Statistical analyses involved descriptive data and inferential tests to determine group differences in FMS and PF levels. Hierarchical regression helped identify the associations between FMS and PF, as controlled by sociodemographic factors. Participants were 720 students (and parents) of both genders (383 girls, 337 boys; M age = 8.8, SD = 1.52 years) from grades 1 to 5 in an elementary school in a municipality in the western region of the Paraná state in Brazil. The results showed significant differences in children's motor skills and PF based on gender and age. The hierarchical regression model showed different combinations of flexibility, abdominal resistance, upper limb strength, agility, speed, and lower limb strength, which explained 33.7% of the variability in the global FMS index, 41% of the variability in manipulative skills, and 12.7% of the variability in locomotor skills. In addition, there was a positive association between FMS and PF related to neuromuscular development for both sexes, regardless of age.

Association between cognitive performance and manual dexterity in patients with Parkinson's disease.

INTRODUCTION: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurological condition resulting from the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. Impaired manual dexterity and cognitive impairment are common symptoms and are often associated with recurrent adverse events in this population. OBJECTIVE: To verify the association between cognitive performance and manual dexterity in people with PD. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional observational study, with 29 participants, who underwent cognitive and manual dexterity assessments, and the following tools were used: Trail Making Test, box and block test (BBT), Learning Test of Rey and Nine Hole Peg Test. Descriptive statistics for clinical and demographic data were performed using mean and standard deviation, and data normality was assessed using the Shapiro-Wilk test. Spearman's nonparametric test was used to determine the correlation between variables. RESULTS: Our findings revealed significant associations between cognitive performance and manual dexterity. The nine-hole peg test positively correlated with TMT-Part A and Part B, establishing a relationship between manual dexterity and cognitive functions such as attention and mental flexibility. On the other hand, BBT showed an inverse relationship with TMT-Part B, indicating that longer time on this task was associated with lower manual dexterity. CONCLUSION: Fine manual dexterity had a significant correlation with visual search skills and motor speed, while gross motor dexterity had a negative correlation with cognitive skills. No significant results were demonstrated regarding the interaction between manual dexterity and memory.

Assessment of the evolution of psychomotor skills in the robotic surgery simulation process.

Robotic surgery is a rapidly expanding field, given the wide variety of new robotic platforms emerging. Looking at the training of surgeons in robotic surgery is of extreme necessity and urgency, considering the ongoing technological advancements. In this research, the performance during the virtual reality simulation phase of training for robotic surgery was analyzed. It was observed that, in addition to the lack of consensus among societies regarding the required simulation hours, there is no guidance on the best curriculum to be adopted. From the data in this study, it can be inferred that the more advanced skills have fewer proficient individuals, meaning that fewer surgeons in training have reached proficiency in all skill exercises. Even with differences in the number of exercises performed proficiently between groups that underwent varying amounts of simulation time, there is no statistically significant difference in the proportion between them.

Manual dexterity in dentistry: Development and evaluation of a preclinical training program.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate the effect of a manual dexterity training program on manual dexterity, perception of self-confidence, quality of cavity preparations, and ergonomic work posture of dental students prior to preclinical training. METHODS: Students in the first year of the undergraduate dentistry program (N = 63) participated in this study. The program consisted of eight phases in which students performed different types of activities. The dependent variables were: manual dexterity assessed by the modified Dental Manual Dexterity Assessment; self-confidence to perform a preclinical procedure using the VAS scale; quality of Class I cavity preparation; angular deviation from the neutral position of the neck, trunk, wrist and distance between the student's eyes and the mannequin's tooth. These variables were evaluated at two different times: before and after the application of the program. The independent variable was the preclinical manual dexterity training program. After meeting the assumption of normality, the paired t-Student test was performed, the significance level was 5%. RESULTS: The results showed a statistically significant difference in relation to manual dexterity (p < 0.001), self-confidence (p < 0.001), quality of cavity preparations (p < 0.001), distance from the eyes of the student/mannequin (p < 0.001), deviation angle of the neutral position of the trunk (p = 0.007) and wrists (p < 0.001), with better results in posttraining. CONCLUSION: It was possible to conclude that, in general, the proposed training positively influenced the self-confidence, dexterity, quality of work, and ergonomics of the evaluated students.

Effect of 3D-MOT training on the execution of manual dexterity skills in a population of older adults with mild cognitive impairment and mild dementia.

Computerized cognitive training tools are an alternative to preventive treatments related to cognitive impairment and aging. In this study, the transfer of 3D multiple object tracking (3D-MOT) training on manual dexterity concerning fine and gross motor skills in 38 elderly participants, half of them with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and the other half with mild dementia (MD) was explored. A total of 36 sessions of the 3D-MOT training program were administered to the subjects. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) test was used to assess the baseline cognitive status of the participants. Two batteries of manual motor skills (GPT and MMDT) were applied before and after the 3D-MOT training program. The results showed an interaction effect of training and improvement in manual dexterity tests, from the first training session until the fifteenth session, and after this range of sessions, the interaction effect was lost. However, the training effect continued to the end of the thirty-six-session program. The experimental results show the effect of cognitive training on the improvement of motor skills in older adults. This type of intervention could have a broad impact on the aging population in terms of their attention, executive functions, and therefore, their quality of life.

Awake craniotomy removal of a corticospinal tract developmental venous anomaly hemorrhage: A case report.

Developmental venous anomalies (DVAs) are composed of mature venous vessels that lack malformed or neoplastic elements. Although the hemorrhage risk is considered negligible, some patients may have neurological symptoms attributable to acute infarction or intracranial hemorrhage secondary to thrombosis, in the absence of a coexisting cavernous malformation. We report the case of a 42-year-old patient who presented with acute left-hand paresis secondary to a subcortical hemorrhage. This bleeding originated from a DVA in the corticospinal tract area and was surgically drained through an awake craniotomy. To accomplish this, we used a trans-precentral sulcus approach. After the complete removal of the coagulum, small venous channels appeared, which were coagulated. No associated cavernoma was found. Although the main DVA trunk was left patent, no signs of ischemia or venous infarction were observed after coagulating the small venous channels found inside the hematoma cavity. Two weeks after the procedure, the patient's hand function improved, and he was able to resume desktop work. DVA-associated hemorrhage within the cortico-spinal tract could be safely removed with modern awake mapping techniques. This technique allowed the patient to rapidly improve his hand function.

The impact of virtual reality on manual dexterity of Parkinson's disease subjects: a systematic review.

PURPOSE: To present the latest available evidence on the effects of a VR-based therapy on the manual dexterity of PD subjects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The search was conducted in PubMed, EMBASE, and PEDro databases. Were included in the systematic review Randomized Clinical Trials, Pilot and Feasibility studies published up to December 2020. The studies should include at least one of the following assessments: Box and Blocks Test, 9-Hole Peg Test; Purdue Pegboard Test. PEDro Scale was used to assess the methodological quality of the included studies. RESULTS: Eight studies were included in the review. Most studies have shown an improvement in outcomes for manual dexterity, but most of them presented a high risk of bias with low methodological quality. A high heterogeneity was observed in the protocols used for each study. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that VR-based therapy has great potential and feasibility to be used as a manual dexterity rehabilitation protocol in PD subjects. However, these results must be interpreted carefully and studies with greater methodological rigor must be conducted.Implications For RehabilitationRehabilitation programs using virtual reality seem to have greater adherence to the user.Immersive virtual reality systems seem to do better in manual dexterity than non-immersive systems.It is plausible to use virtual reality systems in telerehabilitation for manual dexterity training in subjects with Parkinson's' Disease.The use of Virtual Reality by the therapist in a rehabilitation program allows him to modulate the exercises, enabling a wide variety of therapeutic options.

Exploring the ability of strength and dexterity tests to detect hand function impairment in individuals with Parkinson's disease.

BACKGROUND: Parkinson's disease (PD) can affect hand function since the beginning of the motor symptoms. OBJECTIVE: To compare the ability of different hand function tests to: 1) distinguish individuals with PD from healthy controls; 2) differentiate stages of the disease; and 3) indicate changes over time due to disease progression. METHODS: Twenty-four individuals with PD (Hoehn and Yahr: I-III) and 24 age- and sex-matched controls performed the Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function Test (JTHFT), the Nine-Hole Peg Test (9HPT), and the maximum grip and the maximum pinch strength tests using their right and left hands. Eight individuals with PD (six females and two males) were reassessed after 18 months. The ROC analyses and Mann-Whitney U tests (for disease progression) using the average performance of the hands were done. RESULTS: Individuals with PD presented worse test performances than controls, except for the writing subtest of the JTHFT and the grip strength test. The JTHFT without the writing subtest (JTHFTnoW) was the most accurate to discriminate PD from controls (AUC = 0.899; sensitivity 75% and specificity 95.8%). The 9HPT and the simulated feeding and moving large, light objects JTHFT subtests were sensitive to distinguish stages, while the 9HPT, the moving small, common objects JTHFT subtest, and the grip strength were sensitive to changes with disease progression. CONCLUSION: The JTHFTnoW was highly discriminative of the hand function impairments in PD. TwoJTHFT subtests were the most sensitives to distinguish PD stages (i.e. simulated feeding JTHFT subtest) and disease progression (i.e. moving small, common objects JTHFT subtest).

Preclinical dental training: Association between fine motor skills and compliance with ergonomic posture techniques.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the dental students' fine motor skills and their compliance with ergonomic posture techniques over the course of a preclinical training year. The correlation between fine motor skills and compliance was also assessed. METHODS: The ergonomic posture of students enrolled in the second year of a five-year undergraduate dental degree programme (n = 62) was assessed using the Compliance Assessment of Dental Ergonomic Posture Requirements (CADEP). This assessment relied on photographs of the students performing preclinical laboratory procedures during the school year. The photographs of each procedure received a score, and the final score obtained (0 to 10) corresponded to the extent of the student's compliance with ergonomic posture techniques. Initial compliance was calculated during the first two months of the training programme, whilst final compliance was calculated during the last two months. Fine motor skills were evaluated using the modified Dental Manual Dexterity Assessment (DMDA), which was also applied at the beginning and the end of the school year. Data were assessed statistically by Student's paired t test, and the correlation between fine motor skills and compliance with ergonomic posture techniques was estimated by Pearson's correlation coefficient (r) and Student's t test (α = 0.05). RESULTS: The compliance scores were higher at the end of the academic year than at the beginning of year (p < 0.001; t = -5.300). Fine motor skills improved significantly with time (p < 0.001; t = -10.975). Non-significant correlations were found between students' fine motor skills and their economic posture compliance both at the beginning (r = -0.197; p = 0.126) and at the end of the training year (r = 0.226; p = 0.078). CONCLUSION: The students' manual dexterity and compliance with ergonomic posture techniques increased over the course of the preclinical training year, and the correlation between students' fine motor skills and their ergonomic posture compliance was not significant.

Brazilian version of the Jebsen Taylor Hand Function test: An observational cross-sectional study on standardization, reliability and normative data.

STUDY DESIGN: This is an observational cross-sectional study. BACKGROUND: To assess dexterity and hand function, it is important to use validated performance-based outcome measures, such as the Jebsen Taylor Hand Function test (JTHFT). There is no previous study that has used this test in asymptomatic individuals to establish normal values for the Brazilian population, or to assess its reliability. PURPOSE: The first aim of the study was to provide a standardized illustrated manual of the Brazilian version of the JTHFT. The second aim was to evaluate JTHFT test-retest reliability in asymptomatic adults, and the third aim was to determine normative values. METHODS: This study consists of 236 individuals aged 18-60 years, of both sexes, asymptomatic for pain or injury in the upper limbs. An illustrated manual of instructions was developed in Portuguese, test-retest reliability was assessed by determining the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), and to evaluate the average of the correlations between the items, the Cronbach Alpha coefficient was used. The standard error of measurements of the test and retest of the JTHFT subtasks was also performed. RESULTS: The Cronbach Alpha coefficient, resulted in acceptable average values 0.75 for the dominant hand and 0.76 for the nondominant hand. JTHFT subtests reveal moderate to excellent test-retest reliability, varying from 0.53, 95% CI: 0.39-0.64; to 0.93, 95% CI: 0.91-0.95 for the dominant hand, and for the nondominant hand 0.66, 95%: 0.57-0.74; to 0.92, 95% CI: 0.90-0.94. CONCLUSION: JTHFT is reliable for a Brazilian sample in terms of test-retest measures and can be used both in research and in clinical practice. A standardized illustrated manual of application was provided.

Los Centros de Desarrollo Infantil del MIES, una realidad para el futuro de la sociedad / The MIES child development centers, a reality for the future of society

El desarrollo neurológico constituye un objetivo prioritario en Ecuador. Existen Centros de Desarrollo Infantil que persiguen lograr un adecuado desarrollo neurológico en la edad infantil. El objetivo de la presente investigación fue caracterizar el estado de los Centros de Desarrollo Infantil de la provincia Chimborazo, teniendo en cuenta la organización administrativa, situación del talento humano, infraestructura y equipamiento. Para esto se realizó una investigación básica, de campo y descriptiva consistente en la evaluación de estos elementos en cada centro visitado. Del total de 93 instituciones en la provincia, se identificaron 6 que se consideraron emblemáticos. Como principales resultados se puede señalar que las instituciones cuentan con una adecuada infraestructura, equipamiento y gestión administrativa y del talento humano para cumplir sus funciones; sin embargo, se carece de áreas específicas de fisioterapia y de profesionales de esta especialidad. Se concluye que, dentro del marco del convenio macro de cooperación interinstitucional, la Universidad Nacional de Chimborazo podrá proveer el recurso humano calificado para las actividades de fisioterapia orientadas a la estimulación del equilibrio, la coordinación y el área sensomotriz; de esta forma se estará consolidando el desarrollo neurológico de los niños que asisten a los Centros de Desarrollo Infantil(AU)

Neurological development is a priority objective in Ecuador. There are Child Development Centers that seek to achieve adequate neurological development in childhood. The objective of the present investigation was to characterize the state of the Child Development Centers of the Chimborazo province, taking into account the administrative organization, the situation of human talent, infrastructure and equipment. For this, a basic, field and descriptive investigation was carried out consisting of the evaluation of the elements previously described in each center visited. Of the total of 93 institutions in the province, 6 were identified as emblematic. As main results, it can be pointed out that the institutions have adequate infrastructure, equipment and administrative management and human talent to fulfill their functions; however, specific areas of physiotherapy and professionals in this specialty are lacking. It is concluded that, within the framework of the inter-institutional cooperation macro agreement, the National University of Chimborazo will be able to provide qualified human resources for physiotherapy activities aimed at stimulating balance, coordination and the sensorimotor area; In this way, the neurological development of the children who attend the Child Development Centers will be consolidated(AU)

Escalas de evaluación del desarrollo psicomotor en Hispanoamérica / Psychomotor development assessment scales in Latin America

Introducción: El desarrollo psicomotor comprende la apropiación de diferentes etapas del desarrollo que se logra acorde con la maduración del sistema nervioso y la influencia del entorno en el perfeccionamiento de las diferentes habilidades. Objetivo: Identificar las propiedades métricas de las escalas de evaluación validadas en Hispanoamérica para la medición de desarrollo psicomotor en niños hasta los 18 años de edad. Métodos: Revisión exploratoria a partir de un proceso de búsquedas en las bases de datos: PEDRO, Science Direct, LILACS, EBSCO y Google Scholar. La búsqueda se limitó a estudios publicados entre los años 2000 y 2019, no se plantearon otros límites. Se aplicaron filtros de forma independiente por título, abstract, texto completo y análisis crítico de la literatura. Se incluyeron 25 artículos cuyos resultados se analizan desde las correspondientes escalas que evalúan el desarrollo psicomotor. Análisis y síntesis de la información: Las escalas validadas en Hispanoamérica se presentan en dos subgrupos de edad: de 0 a 7 años, que en su mayoría miden aspectos del desarrollo psicomotor a partir de la exploración autónoma y el desarrollo de tareas acordes a la edad y subgrupo de 7 a 18 años, que hace énfasis en el perfeccionamiento de habilidades físicas. Las escalas presentan calificación dentro de límites positivos. Conclusiones: Se presentan escalas validadas que comprenden elementos del desarrollo psicomotor por periodos de vida, con énfasis en la evaluación de aspectos del desarrollo inicial y posteriormente en el perfeccionamiento de habilidades(AU)

Introduction: Psychomotor development includes the appropriation of different stages of development that is achieved according to the maturation of the nervous system and the influence of the environment in the improvement of different skills. Objective: To identify the metric properties of the evaluation scales validated in Latin America for the measurement of psychomotor development in children up to 18 years of age. Methods: Exploratory review based on a search process in the databases: PEDRO, Science Direct, LILACS, EBSCO and Google Scholar. The search was limited to studies published between 2000 and 2019, no other limits were raised. Filters were applied independently by title, abstract, full text and critical analysis of the literature. There were included 25 articles whose results are analyzed from the corresponding scales that evaluate psychomotor development. Analysis and synthesis of information: The scales validated in Latin America are presented in two age subgroups: from 0 to 7 years, which mostly measure aspects of psychomotor development from autonomous exploration and the development of tasks according to age; and the subgroup from 7 to 18 years, which emphasizes the improvement of physical skills. The scales are rated within positive limits. Conclusions: Validated scales are presented that include elements of psychomotor development by life periods, with emphasis on the evaluation of aspects of initial development and later on the improvement of skills(AU)

Incidence and potential predictors of early onset of upper-limb contractures after stroke.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the incidence and potential predictors of upper-limb contractures, three months after stroke. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. METHODS: Consecutive sample of individuals with hemiparesis due to stroke, admitted to a public hospital in Brazil. Contractures were measured by passive range of motion of lateral shoulder rotation, elbow extension, and wrist extension with a gravity inclinometer. Potential predictors included measures of muscle strength, spasticity of the upper-limb muscles, upper-limb function, dexterity, and pain. Measurements were obtained within four weeks and at three months after the stroke. A binomial regression analysis was employed. RESULTS: Out of the 76 individuals with hemiparesis, 28% developed at least one contracture on their paretic upper limb. The incidence of contracture varied across the joints from 6% to 16% and the wrist was the most affected joint. Individuals with moderate stroke showed higher incidence of contracture, compared with those with mild stroke. Dexterity (OR 0.009, 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) 0.00-0.19) and pain (OR 6.417, 95% CI 1.22-33.83) were significant predictors of shoulder, elbow, and wrist contractures. CONCLUSIONS: Individuals with mild and moderate stroke developed upper-limb contractures three months after the onset of the stroke, with an incidence of 28%. The predictors were the presence of pain and loss of dexterity. These impairments should be earlier targeted during rehabilitation interventions.Implications for rehabilitationThe incidence of upper limb contracture 3 months after the stroke is high after mild to moderate stroke.Wrist contractures are the most common upper limb contracture.The presence of pain and loss of dexterity significantly contribute to the development of upper limb contractures.Health professionals should target on the control of pain and improvement of upper-limb dexterity to prevent contractures.

Velocidade em cirurgia: 10 dicas rápidas para elevar a confiança e o adestramento manual do jovem cirurgião plástico / Speed in surgery: 10 quick tips to increase confidence and manual training on the young plastic surgeon

O presente artigo tem como objetivo demonstrar 10 dicas rápidas que tem como alvo o auxílio no desenvolvimento de confiança, de melhora da habilidade manual e de planejamento cirúrgico na rotina diária de treinamento do jovem cirurgião plástico; habilidades capazes de promover redução do tempo cirúrgico global, sem comprometer a meticulosidade dos movimentos realizados.

The purpose of this article is to show 10 quick tips that aim to aid in the development of confidence, improvement of manual skill, and surgical planning in the daily training routine of the young plastic surgeon; skills capable of reducing overall surgical time without compromising the meticulousness of the movements performed.

Operational framework and training standard requirements for AI-empowered robotic surgery.

BACKGROUND: For autonomous robot-delivered surgeries to ever become a feasible option, we recommend the combination of human-centered artificial intelligence (AI) and transparent machine learning (ML), with integrated Gross anatomy models. This can be supplemented with medical imaging data of cadavers for performance evaluation. METHODS: We reviewed technological advances and state-of-the-art documented developments. We undertook a literature search on surgical robotics and skills, tracing agent studies, relevant frameworks, and standards for AI. This embraced transparency aspects of AI. CONCLUSION: We recommend "a procedure/skill template" for teaching AI that can be used by a surgeon. Similar existing methodologies show that when such a metric-based approach is used for training surgeons, cardiologists, and anesthetists, it results in a >40% error reduction in objectively assessed intraoperative procedures. The integration of Explainable AI and ML, and novel tissue characterization sensorics to tele-operated robotic-assisted procedures with medical imaged cadavers, provides robotic guidance and refines tissue classifications at a molecular level.

An Instrumented Glove to Assess Manual Dexterity in Simulation-Based Neurosurgical Education.

The traditional neurosurgical apprenticeship scheme includes the assessment of trainee's manual skills carried out by experienced surgeons. However, the introduction of surgical simulation technology presents a new paradigm where residents can refine surgical techniques on a simulator before putting them into practice in real patients. Unfortunately, in this new scheme, an experienced surgeon will not always be available to evaluate trainee's performance. For this reason, it is necessary to develop automatic mechanisms to estimate metrics for assessing manual dexterity in a quantitative way. Authors have proposed some hardware-software approaches to evaluate manual dexterity on surgical simulators. This paper presents IGlove, a wearable device that uses inertial sensors embedded on an elastic glove to capture hand movements. Metrics to assess manual dexterity are estimated from sensors signals using data processing and information analysis algorithms. It has been designed to be used with a neurosurgical simulator called Daubara NS Trainer, but can be easily adapted to another benchtop- and manikin-based medical simulators. The system was tested with a sample of 14 volunteers who performed a test that was designed to simultaneously evaluate their fine motor skills and the IGlove's functionalities. Metrics obtained by each of the participants are presented as results in this work; it is also shown how these metrics are used to automatically evaluate the level of manual dexterity of each volunteer.

Can Eye Fixation During the Grooved Pegboard Test Distinguish Between Planning and Online Correction?

The Grooved Pegboard Test, in its standard use, has well-documented utility. However, a revised methodology needs further study, leading us to investigate whether duration of eye fixation could predict performance on different task conditions of the Grooved Pegboard Test (place and remove pegs) with the preferred and nonpreferred hands. Fifty-two right-handed undergraduate students (33 male and 19 female), with a mean age of 22.22 (±3.57) years, performed the Grooved Pegboard Test. SensoMotoric eye-tracking glasses with a binocular time resolution of 30 Hz were used to measure eye fixation. The videos were recorded in iView software, and data were analyzed using BeGaze software. The number and duration of eye fixations were statistically different with preferred and nonpreferred hands and also differed across tasks. Simple linear regression showed eye fixation duration to predict movement time in the place task (preferred hand: R2 = 31%; nonpreferred hand: R2 = 41%) and in the remove task (preferred hand: R2 = 11%; nonpreferred hand: R2 = 25%). Thus, duration of eye fixation during the Grooved Pegboard Test differentially predicted performance with each hand and on preferred and different subtests of this instrument.

Assessment of the Ipsilesional Hand Function in Stroke Survivors: The Effect of Lesion Side.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to examine the effect of the side of brain lesion on the ipsilesional hand function of stroke survivors. METHODS: Twenty-four chronic stroke survivors, equally allocated in 2 groups according to the side of brain lesion (right or left), and 12 sex- and age-matched healthy controls performed the Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function Test (JTHFT), the Nine-Hole Peg Test (9HPT), the maximum power grip strength (PwGSmax) test, and the maximum pinch grip strength (PnGSmax) test. Only the ipsilesional hand of the stroke survivors and both hands (left and right) of the controls were assessed. RESULTS: PwGS max and PnGS max were similar among all tested groups. Performances in JTHFT and 9HPT were affected by the brain injury. Individuals with left brain damage showed better performance in 9HPT than individuals with right brain damage, but performance in JTHFT was similar. CONCLUSIONS: Individuals after a brain injury have the capacity to produce maximum strength preserved when using their ipsilesional hand. However, the dexterity of their hands and digits is affected, in particular for stroke individuals with right brain lesion.

Intermanual Transfer of Learning in a Fine Manual Skill Task

Abstract Intermanual Transfer of Learning (IMTL) is the ability to learn a certain skill in an easier way with one hand after that skill has been learnt by the opposite hand(1). This research aimed to investigate IMTL in a Fine Manual Dexterity (FMD) task in subjects presenting different Hand Preference (HP). The sample comprised 882 right and left-handers, both genders, aged 6 to 95 years old. The Dutch Handedness Questionnaire(2) was used to assess HP and the Purdue Pegboard Test(3) evaluated FMD. Direction and intensity of HP, Direction of Transfer (DT), gender, age and nationality were analyzed. IMTL changed according to DT and age, tending to be asymmetric, holding high values in the direction of Non-Preferred Hand (NPH) to Preferred Hand (PH). Children had got a higher IMTL rather than youngsters, adults and old adults with significant differences in adults.(AU)