AIM:
To improve spatial accuracy of reaching and pointing tasks
Rationale:
- Practice is set up to provide feedback about accuracy and speed.
Equipment:
- Target on wall
- 2 chairs
- Washable marker pen and eraser
- Stopwatch
Key Points:
- Ensure patient is sitting upright with the feet supported on the floor
- Position target on the wall within arm’s length and at shoulder height
- Commence with the patient holding the pen and resting the hand in the lap
- Patient performs ten repetitions from lap to target and back to lap
- An accuracy score can be calculated by awarding points for dots (not lines) produced on the target
- A stopwatch is used to monitor speed (number of seconds to complete 10 repetitions)
Common Errors:
- Patient grips the pen too tightly
- Patient produces inappropriate force so that the marks produced on the target are lines instead of dots
Progression and Variety:
- Increase speed
- Increase difficulty of target
- Decrease thigh support in sitting
- Increase reach distance
- Vary reach direction
- Practice in standing