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Motor Training Integrating Cognitive-Behavioral Strategies and Narrative Grammar in Children with Autism Using the
Thalita Karla Flores Cruz1,2, Reinaldo da Costa Paulino Netto1, Elisa Braz Cota Fernandes3
1Institute of Neurodevelopment, Cognition and Inclusive Education, Belo Horizonte 33900-720, MG, Brazil.
Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)
|July 28, 2026
Summary
The Global Integration Method (MIG), combining motor, sensory, and cognitive strategies, significantly improved motor skills and functional performance in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) compared to conventional therapies.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Psychology
- Rehabilitation Medicine
Background:
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is frequently associated with motor deficits impacting daily functioning.
- Conventional interventions for ASD motor deficits may be fragmented, limiting effectiveness.
- The Global Integration Method (MIG) offers a novel, integrated approach combining motor, sensory, and cognitive-behavioral strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of the Global Integration Method (MIG) for children with ASD.
- To compare MIG outcomes against conventional physiotherapy and psychology interventions.
- To assess the impact of MIG on motor skills, functional performance, balance, and socio-communicative abilities.
Main Methods:
- A three-arm randomized controlled trial with 66 children (aged 6-12) with ASD.
- Participants were assigned to MIG, conventional physiotherapy, or conventional psychology groups for five weeks.
- Assessments included motor skills (TGMD-2), functional performance (COPM), balance (PBS), and socio-communicative skills (PROC, ABFW) at baseline, post-intervention, and follow-up.
Main Results:
- The MIG group demonstrated significant improvements in fundamental motor skills and functional performance compared to control groups (p < 0.05), sustained at follow-up.
- Significant enhancements were also noted in balance and socio-communicative skills (p < 0.05) within the MIG group.
- No significant differences were observed in adaptive behavior or self-reported motor coordination; adherence was high with mild adverse events.
Conclusions:
- The Global Integration Method (MIG) shows promising results, yielding greater improvements in motor and functional outcomes for children with ASD than conventional treatments.
- These findings suggest that intensive, multicomponent interventions like MIG may be particularly beneficial.
- Further research is warranted to confirm these preliminary findings and elucidate the specific contributions of combined therapeutic components.
