Fine motor integration shows a significant very weak to strong positive association with mathematics performance, the strongest-supported fine motor component¶

Claim · All claims
Evidence · 1 study · review r3 · q3 · i3 large
Currency · newest study 2018 · not yet checked against its sources · not reviewed by a person

Subclaims¶

q3 i3 Fifteen of 16 studies found significant positive associations between fine motor integration and mathematics performance, with correlations from very weak (r = 0.16) to strong (r = 0.673). → Macdonald Kirstin 2018

Evidence¶

Macdonald Kirstin 2018¶

Macdonald Kirstin, Milne Nikki, Orr Robin, Pope Rodney. (2018). Relationships between Motor Proficiency and Academic Performance in Mathematics and Reading in School-Aged Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph15081603

q3 · i3 · review · r3

Review synthesis of 16 observational studies of fine motor integration and mathematics. Reported correlations included "moderate associations (r = 0.417−0.59)" in seven studies and a strong association (r = 0.612−0.673) in two studies; the one non-significant study was the only one with high school participants.

"When taking into consideration all studies that examined associations between fine motor integration (also referred to as visual motor integration or copying skills) and mathematics performance variables (Table S1), 15 of the 16 studies found significant positive associations, with 12 of these significant associations reported by studies with fair to good methodological quality"

Discussion¶

Related Claims¶

• Manual dexterity shows a significant positive very weak to weak association with mathematical skills, despite mixed findings
• Total fine motor scores are significantly and positively associated with mathematics performance in school-aged children, with strong review-level evidence
• Fine motor integration shows a significant very weak to strong positive relationship with reading performance, but its unique contribution diminishes when other predictors are controlled — related
• Fine motor skills show a significant moderate overall correlation (r = .329) with academic-cognitive skills in children and adolescents — a broader claim this one bears on