Benefits of Structured Bimanual Skill Practice

Research in Developmental Disabilities published research on the benefits of structured bimanual skill practice.  Twenty children with unilateral spastic cerebral palsy (CP) participated in the study in order to determine the importance of skill progression during intensive bimanual practice on movement coordination.

Research in Developmental Disabilities published research on the benefits of structured bimanual skill practice.  Twenty children with unilateral spastic cerebral palsy (CP) participated in the study in order to determine the importance of skill progression during intensive bimanual practice on movement coordination.  

Methodology of the Study on the Benefits of Structured Bimanual Skill Practice

The 20 children with unilateral CP were randomly allocated to a structured practice group with skill progression (10 children) or to an unstructured practice group without skill progression (10 children). Both groups participated in bimanual activities 6 hours a day for 15 days. Pre and post testing was completed where children performed a bimanual drawer-opening task using 3-D kinematic analyses.

Results of the Study on the Benefits of Structured Bimanual Skill Practice

The results of the study indicated the following:

  • both groups showed improved temporal bimanual coordination with increased normalized movement overlap of the two hands.
  • both groups showed decreased goal synchronization time.
  • only the structured practice group showed decreased trunk involvement and increased elbow joint excursion with decreased variability.

Conclusion

The researchers concluded that structured skill progression is important for intensive practice to improve trunk and arm control for children with unilateral CP.

Reference: 

Hung, Y. C., Brandão, M. B., & Gordon, A. M. (2017). Structured skill practice during intensive bimanual training leads to better trunk and arm control than unstructured practice in children with unilateral spastic cerebral palsy. Research in developmental disabilities60, 65-76.

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Research in Developmental Disabilities published research on the benefits of structured bimanual skill practice.  Twenty children with unilateral spastic cerebral palsy (CP) participated in the study in order to determine the importance of skill progression during intensive bimanual practice on movement coordination.