Effect of sensorimotor groups on gross motor acquisition for young children with Down syndrome.

TitleEffect of sensorimotor groups on gross motor acquisition for young children with Down syndrome.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2009
AuthorsFiss ACLaForme, Effgen SK, Page J, Shasby S
JournalPediatr Phys Ther
Volume21
Issue2
Pagination158-66
Date Published2009 Summer
ISSN1538-005X
KeywordsChild Development, Child, Preschool, Down Syndrome, Female, Humans, Infant, Male, Motor Skills, Peer Group, Pilot Projects, Psychomotor Performance, Time Factors
Abstract

PURPOSE: To examine whether participation in sensorimotor groups and individual intervention resulted in greater improvements in motor skill acquisition than solely individual intervention for young children with Down syndrome.

METHODS: Ten children with Down syndrome, 13 to 29 months of age, participated. Children in both groups received individual intervention, and children in the intervention group participated in 10 weekly sensorimotor groups. All children were assessed at 3 points using the Gross Motor Function Measure and Goal Attainment Scaling.

RESULTS: Children in the intervention group demonstrated significant improvement compared with children in the control group at the p < 0.10 level in lying and rolling, crawling and kneeling, and total score domains of the Gross Motor Function Measure and in Goal Attainment Scaling.

CONCLUSIONS: Participation in sensorimotor groups and individual intervention resulted in greater improvement in motor skill acquisition than solely individual intervention for young children with Down syndrome. Additional research to support these exploratory findings is needed.

DOI10.1097/PEP.0b013e3181a3dec7
Alternate JournalPediatr Phys Ther
PubMed ID19440125