Sunflower therapy for children with specific learning difficulties (dyslexia): a randomised, controlled trial

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Psychology
• Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Background:

• Childhood dyslexia presents significant challenges to academic and personal development.
• Exploring novel therapeutic interventions is crucial for supporting affected children.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the clinical and perceived effectiveness of Sunflower therapy for childhood dyslexia.
• To test the hypothesis that Sunflower therapy improves both performance and well-being in dyslexic children.

Main Methods:

• A multi-centered, randomized controlled trial involving 70 children aged 6-13 with dyslexia.
• Standardized cognitive, literacy, and self-esteem tests administered pre- and post-intervention.
• Statistical analysis using Mann Whitney and Wilcoxon tests; parental feedback collected.

Main Results:

• No statistically significant improvements in cognitive or literacy test scores were observed in the treatment group compared to the control.
• Statistically significant improvements in academic self-esteem and reading self-esteem were noted for children receiving Sunflower therapy.
• A majority of parents (57.13%) perceived Sunflower therapy as effective for learning difficulties.

Conclusions:

• Sunflower therapy may positively impact self-esteem in children with dyslexia, but not cognitive or literacy performance.
• Further research, including placebo-controlled trials, is needed to validate these findings and understand potential placebo effects.