Medizinische Universität Graz Austria/Österreich - Forschungsportal - Medical University of Graz
Gewählte Publikation:
Plienegger, J.
Reaching and grasping with and without visual guidance at the age of 5 months
[ Dissertation ] Medical University of Graz; 2008.
- Autor*innen der Med Uni Graz:
- Betreuer*innen:
- Einspieler Christa
- Kerbl Reinhold
- Altmetrics:
- Abstract:
- The aim of this study was to examine the role of tactile hand stimulation during normal reaching and grasping of 5-month-old infants. The main question was whether visual guidance was essential for reaching and grasping of not. Videos of 39 healthy infants at a post term age of 19to 21 weeks were analysed in respect to the applied stimulus (visual, tactile of combined) and the childs reaction. Results indicate that both visual and tactile stimulation can lead to reaching (visually induced or touch-induced reaching) and that grasping can be performed using visual guidance or only under exteroceptive feedback (visually guided or touch-guided grasping). The visual system is not necessarily involved in the reaching and grasping process and tactile stimulation leads to grasping more frequently than visual stimulation. These finding shave important consequences for neurodevelopmental research, diagnosis and therapy: Touch induced reaching and touch-guided grasping should be explored further. These behavioural patterns might be helpful for physiotherapy and to assess an infants developmental state.