Yonetsu R1, Yoshimura M2, Uemura S3, Tanaka N4, Shimozono K5, Nishizaka Y6, Fujii M6
1Kanagawa University of Human Services, Department of Rehabilitation, Yokosuka, Japan, 2Wakayama Medical University Hospital, Department of Rehabilitation, Wakayama, Japan, 3Osaka Developmental Rehabilitation Center, Department of Rehabilitation, Osaka, Japan, 4Kyowakai Medical Corporation, Department of Rehabilitation, Osaka, Japan, 5Rinku General Medical Center, Department of Rehabilitation, Osaka, Japan, 6Morinomiya Hospital, Department of Rehabilitation, Osaka, Japan
Background: Although the ability of brain-damaged children to organize stimuli into meaningful impressions and to distinguish figures from the ground is often impaired, it is not known how different visual cues affect their motor performance.
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between monotone figures and ground reversal targets, and the effect on throwing performance in individuals with cerebral palsy (CP), which would provide a better understanding of their visual-cognition.
Methods: Ten convenience sampled patients with spastic CP (aged 8-31 years) and 10 healthy adults (aged 19-22 years) participated in this study.
The allocated task was underhand throwing of a beanbag with their dominant hand, towards a circular target with a 1 m radius located 4 m away, in a seated position. Two different circular targets (one was a white circular target attached to a 20-cm radius black center white ground target; the other was a black circular target with a 20 cm radius white center, black ground target) were prepared. Participants performed the throwing tasks were randomly assigned one of the two circular targets. After the wash-out time, each participant threw the remaining circular target. Each task consisted of 30 throwing trials without any feedback. Score counting was done based on the landing area: if the beanbag was in the center (concentric circles with radii under 10 cm) of the target, 10 points; outside of the target, 0 points. Points decreased by one point for every 10 cm away from the center. Moreover, the landing area was classified into 3 zones: concentric circles with radius under 20 cm, 'Excellent'; 20 to 50 cm, 'Good'; and 50 to 100 cm, 'Normal', drawn around the target. The landing area judgement was assessed by 2 examiners. When the 2 examiners' decision did not correspond, the landing area was again judged by 3 i-phones video recording for the beanbag trajectory.
To compare the sampled data, the paired t-test was used. Statistical significance was set at p = 0.05.
Results: In healthy adults, there were no significant mean scores in different targets. In the CP group, mean score of the black ground target was significantly higher than that of the white background target (p 0.01). Moreover, the landing number in 'Excellent' in the trail of the black ground target was significantly greater (p 0.05), whereas the number landing in 'Normal' was significantly lower than that in the trail of the white ground target (p 0.05).
Conclusion(s): These findings led us to conclude that throwing performance in individuals with CP was improved with the black ground target rather than the white ground one.
Implications: The finding in this research study provides several implications. Motor performance in individuals with CP is restricted by their visual perception and visual cognition. In contrast, by selecting more suitable visual cues, they can complete the motor activities efficiently with increased concentration. We believe that our findings will contribute towards improving their daily activities and/or social participation.
Keywords: Cerebral palsy, Throwing performance, Visual clue
Funding acknowledgements: There is no funding in this study.
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between monotone figures and ground reversal targets, and the effect on throwing performance in individuals with cerebral palsy (CP), which would provide a better understanding of their visual-cognition.
Methods: Ten convenience sampled patients with spastic CP (aged 8-31 years) and 10 healthy adults (aged 19-22 years) participated in this study.
The allocated task was underhand throwing of a beanbag with their dominant hand, towards a circular target with a 1 m radius located 4 m away, in a seated position. Two different circular targets (one was a white circular target attached to a 20-cm radius black center white ground target; the other was a black circular target with a 20 cm radius white center, black ground target) were prepared. Participants performed the throwing tasks were randomly assigned one of the two circular targets. After the wash-out time, each participant threw the remaining circular target. Each task consisted of 30 throwing trials without any feedback. Score counting was done based on the landing area: if the beanbag was in the center (concentric circles with radii under 10 cm) of the target, 10 points; outside of the target, 0 points. Points decreased by one point for every 10 cm away from the center. Moreover, the landing area was classified into 3 zones: concentric circles with radius under 20 cm, 'Excellent'; 20 to 50 cm, 'Good'; and 50 to 100 cm, 'Normal', drawn around the target. The landing area judgement was assessed by 2 examiners. When the 2 examiners' decision did not correspond, the landing area was again judged by 3 i-phones video recording for the beanbag trajectory.
To compare the sampled data, the paired t-test was used. Statistical significance was set at p = 0.05.
Results: In healthy adults, there were no significant mean scores in different targets. In the CP group, mean score of the black ground target was significantly higher than that of the white background target (p 0.01). Moreover, the landing number in 'Excellent' in the trail of the black ground target was significantly greater (p 0.05), whereas the number landing in 'Normal' was significantly lower than that in the trail of the white ground target (p 0.05).
Conclusion(s): These findings led us to conclude that throwing performance in individuals with CP was improved with the black ground target rather than the white ground one.
Implications: The finding in this research study provides several implications. Motor performance in individuals with CP is restricted by their visual perception and visual cognition. In contrast, by selecting more suitable visual cues, they can complete the motor activities efficiently with increased concentration. We believe that our findings will contribute towards improving their daily activities and/or social participation.
Keywords: Cerebral palsy, Throwing performance, Visual clue
Funding acknowledgements: There is no funding in this study.
Topic: Paediatrics: cerebral palsy
Ethics approval required: Yes
Institution: Kanagawa University of Human Services
Ethics committee: Ethical Committee of the Kanagawa University of Human Services
Ethics number: Ethics number 29--51
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
