Development of Novel Treatment Strategies for Writing Disabilities in Children with Motor Disorders

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K02680
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 09060:Special needs education-related
• Research Institution: University of Tsukuba
• Principal Investigator: Tatsuyuki Ohto 筑波大学, 医学医療系, 准教授 (60344892)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 榎園 崇 筑波大学, 医学医療系, 講師 (30644314)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 脳性麻痺 / 書字障害 / 視覚認知 / 手指巧緻機能 / 知的障がい

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The writing disabilities in children with cerebral palsy, exemplified by spastic diplegia, result from a complex interplay of factors, including intellectual disabilities, fine motor skill impairments, and visual perception deficits. However, these factors have not been systematically organized. Through comprehensive neurological and intelligence examinations encompassing fine motor and coordination functions, the administration of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale, finger tapping function analysis, visual perception function tests (WAVES), and reading and writing screening tests (STRAW-R), it has been determined that constructing a test battery allows for the identification of individual case characteristics. This understanding facilitates the development of tailored support systems and more efficient treatment strategies.

Free Research Field

小児神経学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

医学検査・診察を含む詳細な検査バッテリーは、脳性麻痺児の知的機能・視覚認知機能・手指巧緻機能の障害の程度、書字障害への影響度を明らかとし、各自の特性に応じた適切な教育方針・治療方針の決定に寄与することが出来た。新生児期の脳障害がない健常な小児においても、これらの詳細な検討を行うことにより、より適切な指導を行うことが出来る可能性が示唆され、書字障害に苦しむ小児・家族、またそれを支える教育医療機関の支援につながると考えられた。