Assessment of Gross and Fine Motor Skills in Children With Visual Impairment: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Abstract

Background: Children with visual impairments often face challenges in developing motor skills compared to their sighted peers. Understanding these differences is crucial for designing effective interventions to support their development. Objectives: This study aimed to compare the gross (locomotor) and fine (object) motor skills of children with visual impairments to those of sighted children through a comprehensive review and meta-analysis. Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted according to a registered protocol on the international prospective register of systematic reviews (PROSPERO) and in adherence with preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Three reliable databases were thoroughly searched for original and peer-reviewed articles. The included studies assessed motor skills using different methodologies, contributing to data heterogeneity. Egger’s regression test was used to assess publication bias. Results: A significant difference was found between low vision and visual groups in locomotor skills (P<0.001, 95% CI, 0.706%, 1.384%). In addition, the pooled analysis for object motor skills indicated a significant difference (P<0.001, 95% CI, 0.727%, 1.488%) among the considered groups. Evidence of publication bias was detected for locomotor skills comparisons (P=0.04). However, no significant publication bias was found for the meta-analysis of object motor skills (P=0.056) among the considered groups. Conclusions: The results of the meta-analyses showed significant differences in locomotor (gross) and object (fine) control skills between sighted and visually impaired children. A possible explanation for these findings is that children with visual impairments, such as blindness or low vision, are more likely to experience difficulties in motor skills performance, such as locomotor and object control skills. Future studies should examine variables affecting the motor skills of visually impaired children, such as different medical conditions and interventions and some social and psychological factors.

Keywords

• visual impairments
• blind children
• gross motor skills
• fine motor skills
• meta-analysis