Investigating speed-accuracy tradeoff in children with dysgraphia
Research type
Research Study
Full title
An investigation of speed-accuracy tradeoff using a novel Apple iPad application for children with dysgraphia.
IRAS ID
223929
Contact name
Anne E O'Hare
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Edinburgh
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 3 months, 7 days
Research summary
Many children are referred to Paediatrics or Paediatric Occupational Therapy due to concerns regarding their writing abilities (dysgraphia). They may experience difficulties involving handwriting, spelling, and putting thoughts on paper, all of which can significantly affect their ability to complete work at school and progress academically. Current assessment involves occupational therapists obtaining a history from the child's parents/carers via telephone conversation and either giving practical advice on how to help improve their child's handwriting or asking them to attend an outpatient clinic appointment for further assessment. Some of these children will have a purely educational/literacy problem e.g. dyslexia, others a coordination problem e.g. development coordination disorder, and some a combination of the two.
This study aims to test the feasibility of assessing speed, accuracy and the tradeoff between the two using the iPad application 'Bubbles Burst' in order to categorise dysgraphia in children aged 6-12 and therefore identify those with coordination difficulties. The app involves measuring how well a child can maintain speed whilst a task becomes more difficult without a loss of accuracy. Tradeoff in this relationship is explained by limitations in transmitting information in a child's motor system. The format of the app involves reducing the size of the target 'bubble' that the child is requested to touch. In a previous study it was successful in assessing speed accuracy tradeoff in children referred with difficulties in their coordination. Validated measures of dysgraphia, coordination and non-word reading will also be carried out for comparison. In addition, parents/carers will be asked to complete the Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire (DCD-Q), a validated questionnaire of everyday motor skills and activities. Further analysis will include looking for correlations with assessment results and age, gender and Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation Rank.
REC name
North West - Haydock Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/NW/0691
Date of REC Opinion
8 Dec 2017
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion