Date Presented 04/13/21
Proprioception is the subconscious and conscious awareness of one's body, usually referred to as a sense of self in space. This pilot study used an observational design to assess proprioception and motor performance and discovered a strong relationship between high scores on the BOT and successful performance. This research supports a relationship between proprioceptive deficits and motor proficiency. Our proprioceptive assessments can be further developed for clinical use.
Primary Author and Speaker: Nouran Hussein Amin
Additional Authors and Speakers: Cameron McCallister, Kate Poisson, David Pufki, Angelica Ramirez, Claire Rickley
Contributing Authors: Victoria Scattini
PURPOSE: Proprioception is the subconscious and conscious awareness of our body, usually referred to as our sense of self in space. Research indicates that children who have difficulty in proprioception may present with difficulties in motor coordination, motor planning, postural control, balance, and handwriting. The relationship between poor proprioception and developmental delays in motor skills has been suggested by clinicians and researchers over the years.
DESIGN: This study used an observational study design. Adults between the ages of 18 to 50 (n = 14) and children with a mean age 8.9 years (sd = 2.9, range = 4-12, n = 11) were selected for this study. Each participant underwent a battery of tests evaluating their proprioceptive and motor abilities. Participant's proprioceptive scores were compared to their motor scores. All participants completed a visual acuity test using a standard eye chart to determine if there were any visual acuity deficits present that may impact the results of the study.
METHOD: Proprioception was assessed with a series of tests that included passive and active spatial movement sense, active and passive force detection, force matching, joint position sense, and end point position matching. A Haptic Master robot arm was used to assess passive and active spatial movement sense, and active and passive force detection. A 3D printed end piece was used to mimic a pencil for spatial movement tests, and a ball-shaped end piece was attached to the end-point of the Haptic Master for force detection tests. Motor performance was assessed using the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency II (BOT-II) short-form.
RESULTS: There was a statistically significant positive correlation between performance on the active spatial movement test and the total point score of the BOT-II (r(25) = .803, p = < 0.001). A strong positive correlation also exists between the total points on the BOT-II scores and performance on the passive spatial movement test (r(25) = .539, p = 0.005). Positive correlation (r(20) = .654, p = 0.001) between overall performance of active force perception and performance on the BOT-II. Borderline statistical significance (r(21) = -.359, p = 0.093) between overall performance on end point matching and performance on the BOT-II SF.
CONCLUSION: We discovered a strong relationship between high scores on the BOT and successful performance in: active spatial movement perception; passive spatial movement perception; and active force perception. The proprioceptive system, as well as providing mechanical and spatial awareness of our bodies, provides error information for correction, allowing the body to make corrections based on feedback of the location and status of the body in space. This feedback system is essential for scoring well on fine and gross motor components of the BOT. The hypothesis of a relationship existing between proprioception and motor proficiency is supported by the findings from active and passive spatial movement perception, as well as findings from active force perception. Future research is needed to develop our proprioceptive assessments for clinical use.
IMPACT STATEMENT: This research supports a relationship between proprioceptive deficits and motor proficiency. Our proprioceptive assessments can be further developed for clinical use. This will allow occupational therapists to target interventions and treatment plans to address their client's needs.
References
Blanche, E. I., Reinoso, G., Chang, M. C., & Bodison, S. (2012). Proprioceptive processing difficulties among children with autism spectrum disorders and developmental disabilities. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 66(5), 621–624. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2012.004234
Falk, T. H., Tam, C., Schwellnus, H., and Chau, T. (October 15, 2010). Grip force variability and its effects on children’s handwriting legibility, form, and strokes. ASME. J Biomech Eng.,132(11): 114504. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4002611
