Development of a Test of Hand Manipulation Skills for Children

Description

In-hand manipulation skills (IHMS) is defined as adjustment of an object within the hand for optimum orientation after grasp. IHMS is classified into translation (finger to palm and palm to finger), shift and rotation (simple and complex), each of which can occur with or without stabilization of another object in the palm. The aim of this study was to develop an assessment tool for IHMS in children. The primary objective was to develop an assessment tool for IHMS for Indian children and secondary objective was to trace the development of IHMS and establish its normative values.
Based on literature review on tool development methodology this study was conducted in three steps. Initially, a pilot study was conducted to develop the test and investigate its psychometric properties using Rasch analysis. Based on the findings of the pilot study the test was revised and psychometric properties of Test of in-hand manipulation skills (TIMS) using Rasch analysis was conducted (phase I). Based on the result of phase I the test was revised again and final TIMS consisting of 37 total test items was finalized in phase II of this study. Phase II involved administration of the revised test to 726 typically developing children across India and studying the normal development of IHMS.
Test of in-hand manipulation skills (TIMS) is a valid and robust tool to assess IHMS in children between the ages of 3 years to 14 years of age based on Rasch analysis. It consists of 37 items and time taken to administer the test ranges from 15-25 min. Translation is the first IHMS to appear and matures by 6 to 7 years of age, maturation of shift is seen by the age of 7 to 8 years and matured pattern of rotation is seen by the age of 8 to 9 years.