Effect of perceptual motor interventions on dexterity of mentally retarded children

Abstract

Introduction: Given the importance of the development of gross and fine motor activities and coordination between in performing activities of daily life, improving the hand function in mentally disabled children is one of the priorities of occupational therapists. Perceptual motor deficit in children with intellectual disability result in hand dysfunction such as dexterity. Considering the importance of dexterity and the consequences of problems on the activities of daily living, as well as its reliance on a person;#39s ability to perform fine motor, coordination, speed, gross motor and perceptual abilities, in this study were considered the effect of perceptual motor intervention on dexterity of children with mental retardation. Materials and Methods: Using simple non-probability method for sampling, based the pattern of monitoring and sample size, we selected 10 children for treatment and 10 children for control groups. The treatment group was trained for perceptual motor intervention for 10 weeks, 3 sessions of 60 min per week. Both groups were trained by an occupational therapiest. After 10 weeks, all subjects were re-evaluated. Purdopeg board test used to assess dexterity. Statistical analysis was performed, using SPSS software. Results: One way analysis of variance showed that the scores of Purdopeg board test between the two groups was not significant (P ≥ 0/05), though there was a significant correlation between full scores of Bruininks – Oseretsky Test and Purdopeg board test except assembly test (P ≤ 0/05). Conclusion: Results of present study showed that although the speed test in the left hand was affected by perceptual motor intervention more than any other tests of dexterity, the intervention did not significantly affect the dexterity of mentally retarded children