Effectiveness of Sensory Stimulation by Weighted Vest on Motor Skills and Attention of 6-10 Years Old Children with Learning Disorders

While the development of Attention and motor skills have great importance to learning, growth and daily living tasks of children, some significant dysfunctions can be seen in motor skills and attention of children with learning disability. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of weighted vest (sensory stimulation) on motor skills and attention of 6-10 years children with learning disorders.

This study was an experimental and a classic designed, participants were included twelve 6-10 year old children with learning disorders referred to rehabilitation centers affiliated to University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, and they were randomly assigned to intervention and comparison groups. The subjects selected through convenience sampling. Motor skills and attention level measured during two pre-test and post-test through an Oseretsky Motor Developmental Scale, Conner’s parent Rating Scale, and then the results were recorded. After the pre-test, intervention provide constantly sensory stimulation using weighted vests during common services Occupational Therapy was performed on the intervention group that was the 45 minutes, 3 day per week, for 12 sessions. The data were analyzed using Symbolic Wilcoxon rank and I – Whitney.

There was significant difference between test scores before and after the motor skills test in the intervention group (P=0.003) and there was no significant difference in the comparison. Similarly, there was no significant difference between pre-test and post-test attention in intervention and comparison groups.

Our findings indicate that statistically sensory stimulation based on weighted vest on motor skills was effective, but had no significant effect on attention. Therefore, this technique can was be used to improve the development of motor skills in children with learning disorders.