ACTIVITY ANALYSISThe activity analysis offers the reader one systematic approach for

looking at the therapeutic potential of activities. This model includes some factors that must be considered about the performer, the environmental context, and the activity in the selection of purposeful, therapeutic activity. In the model, just two steps of a multi-step activity are analyzed for the sake of space simplicity. The reader is encouraged to complete the motor analysis by considering movements of the shoulder, forearm, and wrist that accompany the pinch and release pattern analyzed.

I. Preliminary InformationA. Name of Activity: Pinch PotteryB. Components of the Task

1. Roll some clay into a ball, 3 to 4 inches in diameter.2. Place the ball centered on the work table in front of the

performer.3. Make a hole in the center of the ball with the right or left

thumb.4. With the thumb and first two fingers of both hands, pinch

around and around the hole from base to top of the ball.a. Pinch by pressing thumb against index and middle

fingers.b. Release pinch by extending thumb and index and

middle fingers slightly.5. Continue pinching in this way, gradually spreading the

walls of the clay until a small bowl of the desired size is formed.

C. Steps of Activity Being Analyzed1. Pinch2. Release

D. Equipment and Supplies Necessary1. Ball of soft ceramic clay2. Wooden table 30 to 32 inches high or a wooden work

surface fastened to a table with C clamps3. Chair at the work table4. Sponge and bowl of water5. Ceramic smoothing tool

E. Environmental Context: OT workshop or craft activity room. A sink and damp storage area should be available in the work area. There should be ample room around the work table so that the performer is not crowded and can move freely between the table and the sink and damp storage closet. Lighting should be adequate for clear visualization of clay object and work area.

F. Position of the Performer in Relation to the Work Surface and Equipment: The performer is seated in the chair at the table

at a comfortable distance for reaching and manipulating the clay and tools. The clay is centered in front of the performer and the tool, sponge, and water bowl are to the right and near the top of the work area.

G. Starting Position of the Performer: Sitting erect with feet flat on the floor; shoulders are slightly abducted and in slight internal rotation, bringing both hands to the center work surface; elbows are flexed to about 90 degrees; forearms are pronated about 45 degrees; wrists are slightly extended and in ulnar deviation, thumbs are opposed to index and middle fingers ready to pinch the posterior surface of the opened clay ball.

H. Movement Pattern Used to Perform the Steps Under Analysis: Flexion of the MP and IP joints of index and middle fingers; opposition and flexion of the thumb (pinch) followed by extension of the MP and IP joints index and middle fingers and extension and palmar abduction of the thumb (release). Repeat the pattern around ball of clay until a small bowl of desired size and thickness if formed.

II. Motor AnalysisA. Joint and Muscle Activity: List the joint motions for all

movements used during performance of the activity. For each, indicate amount of ROM used (minimal, moderate or full), muscle group used to perform the motion, strength required (minimal [P to F], moderate [F to G], and full [G to N]), and type of muscle contraction (isotonic, isometric, eccentric)

Motions for PinchJoint Motion Range of

MotionMuscle Group

Strength Type of Muscle Contraction

INDEX AND MIDDLE FINGERSMP flexion Minimal FDP, FDS,

lumbricales Moderate Isotonic

PIP flexion Minimal FDP, FDS Moderate IsotonicDIP flexion Minimal FDP Moderate Isotonic

Finger adduction Maximal Palmar Interossei Moderate Isometric

THUMB

Opposition FullOpponens

pollicis, FPI, FPB

Moderate Isotonic

Motions for ReleaseJoint Motion Range of

MotionMuscle Group

Strength Type of Muscle Contraction

INDEX AND MIDDLE FINGERS

MP extension Minimal EDC, EIP Minimal IsotonicPIP and DIP extension Minimal EDC, EIP Minimal Isotonic

Finger adduction Maximal Palmar interossei Moderate Isometric

THUMBRadial abduction Moderate APL, APB Minimal IsotonicMP, IP extension Full EPL, EPB Minimal Isotonic

APB, Abductor pollicis brevis, APL, Abductor pollicis longus; DIP, Distal interphalangeal; EDC, Extensor digitorum communis; EIP, Extensor indicis propius; EPB, Extensor pollicis brevis; EPL, Extensor pollicis longus; FDP, Flexor digitorum profundus; FDS, Flexor digitorum superficialis; FPB, Flexor pollicis brevis; FPL, Flexor pollicis longus; IP, Interphalangeal; MP, Metacarpophalangeal; PIP, Proximal interphalangeal.

B. Grading: Grade this activity for one or more of the following factors:1. ROM: Cannot be graded for ROM.2. Strength: Grade for strength by increasing the consistency

of the clay.3. Endurance: Grade for sitting tolerance by increasing the

length of activity sessions.4. Grade for sitting balance by decreasing sitting support.5. Coordination: Requires fine coordination by adding scored

or painted designs to surface; grade to sculpture of small clay figures.

C. Criteria for Activity as Excercise1. Action of Joints: Movement localized to flexion and

extension of MP and IP joints of index and middle fingers CMC, MP, and IP joint of thumb

2. Repetition of Motion: The pinch and release sequence is repeated until the bowl has reached the desired height and thickness

3. Gradable: The activity is gradable for strength and endurance

III. Sensory AnalysisCheck the sensory stimuli received by the person performing the activity. Include any sensory experience obtained from position, motion, materials, or equipment. Describe how sensation is received.

Sensory AnalysisSensory Modality How Received

Tactile X Touching clay and toolsProprioceptive (joint motion and position sense)

X Being aware of joint position and motion during pinch/release

Vestibular (balance, sense of body, head motion)

X Maintaining posture in chair while performing activity

Visual X Seeing clay object, environmentOlfactory (smell) X Smelling a slight odor of damp clayPain OThermal (temperature) X Hands sensing coldness of clayPressure X Fingertips and thumb tips pressing

against walls of clay bowlAuditory (hearing) OOther

O, sensory stimuli not received; X, sensory stimuli received.

IV. Cognitive AnalysisCognitive AnalysisCognitive Skill Justification

Memory X Remembers instructionSequencing (steps in order) X Performs steps in orderProblem-solving skills X Knows what to do if clay is too wet or

too dry, if walls of bowl are too thin or too thick

FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONSSpoken X Is able to comprehend and follow

spoken instructionsDemonstrated X Is able to comprehend and follow

demonstrated instructionsWritten OConcentration and attention required

X Moderate: focuses on bowl and knows when its wall are thin enough and high enough

O, cognitive skill not used; X, cognitive skill required in activity.

V. Safety Factors: What are the potential hazards of this activity? Describe safety precautions necessary for this activity. There are few hazards in this activity. Ingesting clay or using the smoothing tool inappropriately is possible. Also, sitting balance must adequate to maintain upright posture to perform activity. Precautions must be taken: Adequate supervision should be provided to ensure appropriate use of clay and tool, and the task should be performed from a wheelchair with supports if sitting balance is impaired.

VI. Interpersonal Aspects of ActivityA. Solitary Activity: may be done aloneB. Potential for Dyadic Interaction: May be done in parallel with

one other person but does not require interaction

C. Potential for Group Interaction: May be done in a group but does not require interaction.

VII. Psychological and Psychosocial FactorsA. Symbolism in performer’s culture: May be seen as more

feminine than masculine in mainstream American culture; may be associated with the artistic, liberal, naturalist groups of people in American society

B. Symbolic meaning of activity to performer: May be seen as leisure skill rather than work: may be regarded as a child’s play by some persons.

C. Feelings or reactions evoked by performer during performance of activity: The soft, moist, pliable, and plastic properties of clay may evoke soothing feelings in many persons. Others may regard it as messy or dirty. Potential for personal gratification is good because attractive end product is easy to achieve; activity is creative, individualistic, and useful.

VIII. Therapeutic Use of ActivityA. List the autonomous goal of the activity: To make a small clay

bowlB. List possible therapeutic objective(s) for the activity

1. To increase pinch strength2. To improve coordination of opposition3. To increase sitting tolerance