Effect of Upper Limb Exercises on Handwriting Speed with different diameters of pen

Handwriting speed is a very important factor in a student's life. Every student prefers different diameter of pen while writing which may influence the speed of writing. Hand writing is a complex, fine motor skill, where fine, precise, co ordinated movements occur in the upper extremity. Handwriting is an essential skill in daily-life

To assess the effect of different diameters of pen on the handwriting speed.

To determine the effects of upper limb exercises on the handwriting speed.

Subjects were assigned into 2 groups A and B. Group A was given a larger diameter pen (20mm diameter) and group B was given small diameter pen (10 mm diameter). Exercises were designed to strengthen the muscles involved in handwriting. Each subject did 8 types of exercises, 6 times a week for 4 weeks. Handwriting speed of the subjects, Co ordination using Purdeu Peg Board and Pinch grip using a Pinch grip dynamometer were measured at the beginning and at the end of 4 weeks.

Pre intervention Handwriting speed was faster in group A (20mm) that is with larger diameter of pen which was 35.6+/- 2.86 wpm than in group B (10mm) which was 33.4+/-2.97 wpm. Post Exercise both the groups showed improvement in handwriting speed. For Group A post intervention handwriting speed was 38.6+/- 2.63 wpm and for group B it was 35.6+/-2.56 wpm. The pinchgrip strength for group A improved from 3.3+/- 0.48kg to 3.9+/-0.51kg and for group B it improved from 3.6+/-1.26kg to 4+/-1.21kg post intervention. Coordination also showed improvement in both the groups. For group A it improved from 12.5+/-1.21 to 13.5+/-1.02 no of pegs per minute and for group B it improved from 12.4+/-1.42 to 13.3+/-0.96 no of pegs per minute.

Handwriting speed was found to be faster with a larger diameter of pen (20mm) as compared to smaller diameter of pen (10mm) and Strengthening and coordination exercises of distal upper limb muscles improves handwriting speed.