Self-Efficacy and Kinematics: Establishing a Relationship between Kinematics and Task Challenge of a Goal Directed Reaching Task in Unimpaired Adults

Abstract

The recovery of Upper Extremity (UE) motor function is essential for activity of daily living (ADL) performance in individuals with impairment post-stroke. During this recovery process, task difficulty may cause individuals to avoid certain behaviors beneficial to their rehabilitation. Because most ADL performance occurs in the home, monitoring task performance and task difficulty in the ambient setting is a necessary aspect of identifying and correcting UE motor deficits. In this study, we focus on determining relationships between a kinematic measure of performance and task challenge. Ten non-disabled participants completed a reaching task and target dependent self-efficacy assessments based on a validated goal directed paradigm. The participants also completed assessments of UE motor function, which were used to establish initial, task specific self-efficacy. The results of this study suggest that position pulse width is a kinematic indicator of relative task challenge in our goal directed reaching task. The results do not support a relationship between average pulse width and initial performer confidence level. These results may have implications for the eventual monitoring of participant confidence in ambient settings.