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The effect of visual therapy on the ocular motor control of seven- to eight-year-old children with developmental
Dané Coetzee1, Anita E Pienaar
1Physical Activity, Sport and Recreation, Faculty Health Sciences, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa.
Insights
Visual therapy significantly improved ocular motor control in children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD). These improvements in visual pursuit, fixation, and alignment were substantial and long-lasting, benefiting children with DCD.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) often presents with associated visual-motor control deficits.
- Ocular motor control issues can significantly impact daily functioning and learning in children with DCD.
- Early identification and intervention for these deficits are crucial for improving outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the prevalence of ocular motor control problems in children with DCD.
- To evaluate the efficacy of a visual therapy program in addressing these problems.
- To determine the long-term effects of visual therapy on ocular motor control in this population.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 32 children (mean age 95.66 months) diagnosed with DCD participated.
- Ocular motor control was assessed using the Sensory Input Systems Screening Test and QNST-II.
- A two-group pre-test-post-test cross-over design with a 2-year retention test was employed for an 18-week visual therapy intervention.
Main Results:
- Pre-intervention, ocular motor control problems ranged from 6.25% to 93.75%, with visual pursuit in the left eye being most affected.
- Visual therapy led to significant improvements (75-100%) in visual pursuit, fixation, ocular alignment, and convergence.
- These therapeutic gains demonstrated significant lasting effects (p<0.001).
Conclusions:
- Children with DCD frequently exhibit significant ocular motor control deficits.
- Visual therapy is an effective intervention for improving ocular motor control in children with DCD.
- The positive effects of visual therapy are sustained long-term, supporting its recommendation for this population.
Abstract:
The aims of this study were to determine the extent of ocular, motor control problems and the effect of visual therapy on such problems, among seven- to eight-year-old children diagnosed with DCD. Thirty-two, children with a mean age of 95.66 months (SD ± 3.54) participated in the study. The MABC was used to classify children into DCD categories (<15th, percentile) while the Sensory Input Systems Screening Test and QNST-II, were used to evaluate ocular motor control. A two-group pre-test-post-test, cross-over design was followed with a retention test two years, thereafter to determine the lasting effect of the visual therapy, intervention. The 18-week visual therapy programme was executed once a week, for 40 min during school hours, after which the two groups were, crossed over. Percentages of ocular motor control problems ranging, between 6.25% and 93.75% were found in both the groups before participating, in the visual therapy programme, with the highest percentage problems found, in visual pursuit with the left eye. Visual therapy contributed to a, significant improvement of 75-100% in visual pursuit, fixation, ocular, alignment and convergence, with significant lasting effects (p<0.001). Visual therapy is recommended for children with DCD experiencing poor, ocular motor control.
