Evaluation of Fidgety Movements of Infants Based on Gestalt Perception Reflects Differences in Limb Movement Trajectory Curvature.
Journal
Physical therapy
ISSN: 1538-6724
Titre abrégé: Phys Ther
Pays: United States
ID NLM: 0022623
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
01 06 2019
01 06 2019
Historique:
accepted:
12
02
2019
received:
08
05
2018
entrez:
4
6
2019
pubmed:
4
6
2019
medline:
4
12
2019
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
Infants aged 2 to 5 months show spontaneous general movements (GMs) of the whole body, which are referred to as fidgety movements (FMs). Although previous studies have shown that evaluation of GMs by the General Movement Assessment (GMA) has predictive value about later neurological impairments, it remains unknown whether raters consistently perceive and rate such complex kinematic information. The purpose of this study was to construct a method to reveal which movement features are associated with each rater's evaluation of FMs based on the GMA. GMA scores of 163 healthy infants aged 11 to 16 weeks postterm were matched with data obtained from a 3-dimensional motion analysis system. Three physical therapists performed the GMA and classified GMs into 9 types, from which we focused on 3 subtypes differing in the temporal organization of FMs (continual, intermittent, and sporadic FMs). We also calculated 6 movement indices (average velocity of limb movements, number of movement units, kurtosis of acceleration, jerk index, average curvature, and correlation between limb velocities) for arms and legs for each infant and analyzed which movement indices were associated with the ratings of the 3 FM subtypes by each rater. Only the average curvature differed significantly among the ratings of the 3 FM subtypes for all 3 raters. Each rater showed significant differences in the average curvature in either arms or legs. It is difficult to generalize the present results to raters with various levels of expertise and experience in using the GMA. This issue calls for further research. The method used revealed commonality and individuality about the perceived movement features that can be associated with the rating of FMs.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
Infants aged 2 to 5 months show spontaneous general movements (GMs) of the whole body, which are referred to as fidgety movements (FMs). Although previous studies have shown that evaluation of GMs by the General Movement Assessment (GMA) has predictive value about later neurological impairments, it remains unknown whether raters consistently perceive and rate such complex kinematic information.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to construct a method to reveal which movement features are associated with each rater's evaluation of FMs based on the GMA.
DESIGN
GMA scores of 163 healthy infants aged 11 to 16 weeks postterm were matched with data obtained from a 3-dimensional motion analysis system.
METHODS
Three physical therapists performed the GMA and classified GMs into 9 types, from which we focused on 3 subtypes differing in the temporal organization of FMs (continual, intermittent, and sporadic FMs). We also calculated 6 movement indices (average velocity of limb movements, number of movement units, kurtosis of acceleration, jerk index, average curvature, and correlation between limb velocities) for arms and legs for each infant and analyzed which movement indices were associated with the ratings of the 3 FM subtypes by each rater.
RESULTS
Only the average curvature differed significantly among the ratings of the 3 FM subtypes for all 3 raters. Each rater showed significant differences in the average curvature in either arms or legs.
LIMITATIONS
It is difficult to generalize the present results to raters with various levels of expertise and experience in using the GMA. This issue calls for further research.
CONCLUSIONS
The method used revealed commonality and individuality about the perceived movement features that can be associated with the rating of FMs.
Identifiants
pubmed: 31155660
pii: 5505341
doi: 10.1093/ptj/pzz034
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
701-710Informations de copyright
© 2019 American Physical Therapy Association.