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Updated: Jun 3, 2026
Frame-by-Frame Video Analysis of Idiosyncratic Reach-to-Grasp Movements in Humans
Published on: January 15, 2018
Proximal and distal adjustments of reaching behavior in preterm infants
Aline Martins de Toledo1, Daniele de Almeida Soares, Eloisa Tudella
1Department of Physiotherapy, Neuropediatrics Section, Federal University of Sao Carlos, Brazil. toledo_am@yahoo.com.br
Insights
Preterm infants
Area of Science:
- Developmental neuroscience
- Infant motor development
Background:
- Preterm infants often face developmental challenges.
- Understanding their motor skills, like reaching and grasping, is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine reaching and grasping in preterm infants.
- Compare motor development in preterm versus full-term infants aged 5-7 months.
Main Methods:
- Observational study comparing 9 preterm and 10 full-term infants.
- Analyzed reaching behavior and grasping patterns at 5, 6, and 7 months.
Main Results:
- Both groups favored unimanual reaching with age.
- Hand opening and successful grasping increased with age (6-7 months).
- Preterm infants showed more open hands at 6 months.
Conclusions:
- Preterm infants' reaching and grasping skills develop similarly to full-term infants.
- Prematurity did not significantly impair early reaching performance.
Abstract:
The authors aimed to investigate proximal and distal adjustments of reaching behavior and grasping in 5-, 6-, and 7-month-old preterm infants. Nine low-risk preterm and 10 full-term infants participated. Both groups showed the predominance of unimanual reaching, an age-related increase in the frequency of vertical-oriented and open hand movement, and also an increase in successful grasping from 6 to 7 months. The frequency of open hand was higher in the preterm group at 6 months. Intrinsic restrictions imposed by prematurity did not seem to have impaired reaching performance of preterm infants throughout the months of age.
