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Quantified Assessment of Infant's Gross Motor Abilities Using a Multisensor Wearable
Published on: May 17, 2024
Sensorized toys for measuring manipulation capabilities of infants at home
Insights
A new sensorized toy kit helps measure and improve object exploration skills in preterm infants. Preliminary data show changes in grasping with age and training, aiding motor development assessment.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Rehabilitation Engineering
- Infant Motor Development
Background:
- Preterm infants (born before 37 weeks gestation) exhibit reduced object exploration.
- Quantitative assessment of grasping is crucial for understanding typical and atypical infant motor development.
- Existing methods may lack ecological validity or longitudinal tracking capabilities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate a novel kit of sensorized toys for measuring and monitoring preterm infants' manipulation skills.
- To assess the potential of this tool to promote object exploration through a home-based training program.
- To conduct preliminary analysis of grasping activity in preterm infants using the sensorized toys.
Main Methods:
- A kit of sensorized toys with embedded pressure sensors was developed.
- Three preterm infants participated in a 4-week daily home-based training program using the toys.
- Quantitative data on grasping (pressure, acceleration) were collected longitudinally while infants played with toys in a supine position.
Main Results:
- Preliminary data indicate measurable differences in grasping parameters.
- These differences correlated with infant age and the extent of daily training.
- The sensorized toys provided quantitative insights into grasping activity during play.
Conclusions:
- The sensorized toy kit shows promise as a tool for assessing and enhancing object manipulation in preterm infants.
- Longitudinal data collection in an ecological setting is feasible.
- Further validation through an ongoing clinical trial is necessary to confirm its utility in promoting exploration.
Abstract:
Preterm infants, i.e. babies born after a gestation period shorter than 37 weeks, spend less time exploring objects. The quantitative measurement of grasping actions and forces in infants can give insights on their typical or atypical motor development. The aim of this work was to test a new tool, a kit of sensorized toys, to longitudinally measure, monitor and promote preterm infants manipulation capabilities with a purposive training in an ecological environment. This study presents preliminary analysis of grasping activity. Three preterm infants performed 4 weeks of daily training at home. Sensorized toys with embedded pressure sensors were used as part of the training to allow quantitative analysis of grasping (pressure and acceleration applied to toys while playing). Each toy was placed on the midline, while the infant was in supine position. Preliminary data show differences in the grasping parameters in relation to infants age and the performed daily training. Ongoing clinical trial will allow a full validation of this new tool for promoting object exploration in preterm infants.
