The Effect of 8 Weeks of Proprioceptive Training on Motor Coordination in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of 8 weeks of proprioceptive training on motor coordination in children with autism spectrum disorder in Shiraz schools. The method was quasi-experimental and a pretest/posttest design with a control group. 16 participants (5 to 12 years old, 8.62 ± 2.21) were randomly homogenized in experimental and control groups according to the results of Bruininks-Oseretsky subtests. Experimental subjects individually performed proprioceptive training in 24 sessions while the control group individually performed the similar number of sessions of regular occupational therapy. After the completion of the training course, posttest was conducted for both groups. Results demonstrated a significant difference between the two groups in all subscales of eye, hand and bimanual coordination (P≤0.05). Regarding the evaluations in this study and the significance of motor coordination due to changes in processing and sensory-motor systems, it can be concluded that proprioceptive training improved motor coordination in children with autism.

Keywords

• autism disorder
• motor coordination
• oseretsky test
• proprioceptive training