[Analysis of diadochokinetic movement. Electronic data processing-aided diadochometry--a contribution to developmental neurologic diagnosis].
A method of objective registration and analysis of diadochokinetic arm movement was tested in normal children and those with signs of minimal cerebral dysfunction (MCD). 44 children aged 4-10 yrs. (9 with the diagnosis of MCD, 31 controls) were investigated. By means of a special device 270 deg. twisting of the forearms were transduced linearly by foam-cushioned clamps at the wrists and a potentiometer into a direct current of 0-2,7 V, respectively. The analog DC signal was digitalized by 0.7 kHz and stored in a calculator, the identification of the first and last sectors were performed on monitor. After removing artificial currents by a special filtering program, the remaining sinus-like curves could be analyzed by a special program (BEWESI). Mathematical analysis was performed by 11 factors respecting right and left arm, unilateral or bilateral twisting. Statistical analysis showed significant differences in some parameters between normal and MCD-children. In addition, a significant difference between the velocity of pronation and supination was evident. The fact that a clear age relation of parameters was found, proves the practicability of this diagnostical method in developmental neurology.