TITLE:
Efficacy of Sensory Integration Therapy in Improving Gross Motor Coordination and Grip Control in Down Syndrome Children
AUTHORS:
Ahmed M. Azzam
KEYWORDS:
Sensory Integration Therapy, Gross Motor Coordination, Hand Grip, Down Syndrome
JOURNAL NAME:
World Journal of Neuroscience,
Vol.9 No.2,
May
9,
2019
ABSTRACT: This
work was carried out to investigate the efficacy of sensory integration therapy
in improving gross motor coordination and grip control in Down syndrome
children. Thirty children were enrolled in this study and randomly assigned
into two groups: group A received (sensory integration therapy program plus specific physiotherapy training)
and group B received (specific physiotherapy training program only). Motor
coordination test measures (Balancing backward, Hopping, Jumping from side to
side and Transferring boxes) to test and follow gross motor coordination,
handheld dynamometer to test and follow grip control ability and kinesthesia
test to test and follow awareness of joint position and movement. These
measurements were taken before initial treatment and after 12 weeks of
treatment. The children parents in both groups A and B were instructed to
complete 3 hours of the home routine program. Data analysis was available on
the 30 Down syndrome children participating in the study. The difference between pre- and
post-treatment results was more significant in Motor coordination test measures in the study group
than the control group. Grip control ability and kinesthesia test demonstrate
representative improvement in the study groups (p = 0.0001) while insignificant
in the kinesthesia control group and significant in a grip control group. The
addition of sensory integration therapy program to specific physiotherapy
training is recommended in improving gross motor coordination and grip control
abilities in Down syndrome, so this suggested approach may be used as a selective choice for
improving posture control and hand functions in Down syndrome children.