Total fine motor scores are significantly and positively associated with mathematics performance in school-aged children, with strong review-level evidence¶

Claim · All claims
Evidence · 1 study · review r3 · q3 · i2 medium
Currency · newest study 2018 · not yet checked against its sources · not reviewed by a person

Subclaims¶

q3 i2 All nine studies examining total fine motor scores and mathematics performance reported significant positive associations, with correlations ranging from very weak to strong (r = 0.25–0.73). → 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 · i2 · review · r3

Systematic review synthesis of nine observational studies of total fine motor scores and mathematics. The review reports all studies found significant positive associations, with correlational analyses showing "significant very weak to strong positive associations (r = 0.25–0.73)"; seven studies were of fair to good quality.

"Overall, summary coding suggests there was a strong level of evidence to support a significant very weak to strong positive relationship between total fine motor scores and mathematics performance (see Table 1)."

Discussion¶

Related Claims¶

• Fine motor integration shows a significant very weak to strong positive association with mathematics performance, the strongest-supported fine motor component
• Manual dexterity shows a significant positive very weak to weak association with mathematical skills, despite mixed findings
• Total fine motor scores show a significant very weak-to-weak positive association with reading performance, with strong review-level evidence
• Preliminary evidence from a small number of experimental studies suggests motor skill interventions in primary school settings may positively impact mathematics and/or reading performance — related
• Total gross motor scores show a very weak to moderate positive association with mathematical skills despite conflicting findings — 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