Abstract

KRUGER, Annelize; STRAUSS, Monique; MARIETA, M  and  NEL, Mariette. Assessment of in-hand manipulation by occupational therapists in paediatric practices in South Africa. S. Afr. j. occup. ther. [online]. 2021, vol.51, n.2, pp.11-21. ISSN 2310-3833.  http://dx.doi.org/10.17159/2310-3833/2021/vol52n2a3.

INTRODUCTION: Assessment of in-hand manipulation is fundamental to guide treatment for children with fine motor delays. Limited literature is available on how South African occupational therapists assess in-hand manipulation. This study aimed to describe which current in-hand manipulation assessment methods are used and what the preferences of occupational therapists in all areas of paediatric practices are regarding a suitable instrumentMETHODS: Quantitative cross-sectional study design with a non-probability purposive sampling method was used. Participants completed an EvaSys survey system online questionnaireRESULTS: Two-hundred-and-ninety-two (n=292) occupational therapists registered with the HPCSA participated. Limited familiarity (n=50; 17.1 %) with the formal assessment instruments described in literature was reported. The informal assessment methods most commonly used were subjective observation of tasks (n=287; 98.3%) of scholastic tasks (n=261; 89.4%) and play tasks (n=255; 87.3%) for children between the ages of five to six years (n=273; 93.5%). Preferences supported a descriptive instrument accompanied by a user manual that is administered under 15 minutes, in multiple languages, and with attention to the quality of movements and compensatory techniques used by the childCONCLUSION: Results showed that the current and preferred assessment methods used by occupational therapists might provide guidance for the future development of a contextual, relevant in-hand manipulation instrument for paediatric practices in South Africa

Keywords : in-hand manipulation; assessment methods; paediatric practice.

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