Examining the Effectiveness of Ayres Sensory Integration® Intervention for Children With Developmental Coordination...

Background Ayres Sensory Integration^® (ASI) intervention focuses on developing sensory processing abilities to improve motor coordination, executive functions, participation, and satisfaction in everyday activities. No well-designed research studies have addressed clearly the effectiveness of ASI intervention for children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) even though ASI intervention was effective for children with autism spectrum disorders. Methods and procedures Seventeen children with DCD (aged 4-8.5 years old) were randomly assigned to either an intervention or a control group. ASI intervention was provided to the intervention group twice a week for 10 weeks. In addition to participants' goals in daily activities, sensory integration abilities and motor coordination were assessed before and after the intervention. Outcomes and results The split-plot factorial design demonstrated significant time × group interaction in the total score (F (1, 15) = 7.651, p = 0.014, partial η²= 0.338) and balance score (F (1, 15) = 11.163, p = 0.004, partial η² = 0.427) of the Movement Assessment Battery for Children-Second Edition (MABC-2), with significant differences in simple main effects before and after intervention for the intervention group. The post-intervention Goal Attainment Scale (GAS) score showed a significant difference in the time × group interaction (F (1, 15) = 15.662, p = 0.001, partial η² = 0.511) and a simple main effect in the intervention group. Conclusions A short-term, intensive ASI intervention improves motor performance, coordination, and daily activities function in children with DCD.