Abstract:
Objectives: Sensory integration training plays a crucial role on the attention span and motor skills
of students with Down syndrome. The present research aimed to investigate the effect of sensory
integration training on the attention span and motor skills of students with Down syndrome.
Methods: This was a quasi-experimental research with a pretest, posttest design and control
group. Participants were 28 male students with Down syndrome from two exceptional schools
in Tehran. The samples were selected by convenience sampling method. Students were
randomly divided into the control and experimental groups and each group consisted of 14
students. A 10-session sensory integration training was provided to the experimental group,
while the control group did not receive this training. The Stroop color-word test and Bruininks
Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency were used for measuring the attention span and motor
skills of the students. The obtained data were analyzed using MANCOVA.
Results: MANCOVA indicated a significant difference between the attention span and motor
skills in the experimental group after the training sessions (P<0.0001).
Discussion: Sensory integration training led to the improvement of attention span and motor
skills of students with Down syndrome. Therefore, Sensory integration training could have
positive impacts on the attention span and motor skills of students with Down syndrome.
Machine summary:
The present research aimed to investigate the effect of sensory integration training on the attention span and motor skills of students with Down syndrome.
Discussion: Sensory integration training led to the improvement of attention span and motor skills of students with Down syndrome.
ir 317 September 2018, Volume 16, Number 3 Highlights I ranian Rehabilitation Journal ● Sensory integration had positive effect on attention and motor skills of students with Down Syndrome.
When children with Down syndrome participate in sensory integration program, they show improvement in attention, motor skills, daily activities and quality of life.
Children with Down syndrome participated in sensory integration program, which improved their attention span, motor skills, daily activities, and quality of life.
Therefore, this study aimed to investi- gate sensory integration training on attention span and motor skills of children with Down syndrome.
Also, this research evaluated the effect of sensory integration training on motor skills in 2 groups (experimental and control) be- fore and after the intervention.
This study was consistent with the results of Amel and Amira [8] who investigated the effect of sensory integration train- ing program on motor skills among students with autism spectrum disorders and reported a statistically significant difference between the control and experimental groups after the intervention, on gross and fine motor skills.
reported the effectiveness of sensory integration program on fine and gross motor skills, for 5-7 years old children with Down syndrome [31].
Ultimately, the present research demonstrated a significant improvement in the attention and motor skills of children with Down syndrome after receiving sensory integration training.