Comparison the Effect of Simultaneous Sensory Stimulation and Current Occupational Therapy Approaches on Motor Development of the Infants with Down Syndrome

ObjectiveNeuromuscular characteristics in Down syndrome result in generalized muscular hypotonia, developmental delays and sensory integration deficits. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of simultaneous sensory stimulations and current occupational therapy approaches on motor functions development of infants with Down syndrome.Materials & MethodsEighteen infants with Down syndrome, aged 6 -18 months, were evaluated in two groups: intervention group (simultaneous sensory stimulation and occupational therapy) and control group (occupational therapy alone). They attended the program 3 times a week for 6 months and each session lasted 45 minutes. Motor functions were assessed before, during, and after intervention in the two groups, using GMFM test.ResultsMean motor function increased in both groups according to the GMFM test (P = 0.000). Comparison of the changes showed that although the mean difference of this variable was higher in the intervention group, the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.576).Mean motor deficit reduced in both groups during the period of the study,which was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Comparison of the difference in mean motor deficit in the first and last evaluations showed that this difference was more in the intervention group but statistically insignificant (P = 0.617)ConclusionEarly use of simultaneous sensory stimulations can improve the quality of motor skills in Down syndrome infants. It is suggested that it may be used as an early intervention in association with other methods in the rehabilitation of these patients. However, more studies in this regard are warranted

Life balance of mothers of children with cerebral palsy

Purpose: Having the child with Cerebral palsy is a very stressful experience for the family that could affect daily patterns and routines, habits, needs and occupational performances of all family members specially mothers. This study aimed to investigate life balance of mothers of children with Cerebral palsy (MCCPs) based on the Life Balance Model. Method: Fifty MCCPs aged 3 to 9 years with sample convenient method participated in this descriptive and cross-sectional study. The Severity of cerebral palsy was determined by Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) and Manual Ability Classification System (MACS) and the life balance of mothers was evaluated by Persian version of the LBI (P_LBI). The collected data were evaluated and analyzed using SPSS software. Results: The total mean score of LBI and its subscales showed that there is no balanced or very balanced life in mothers and they could be categorized to unbalanced (n = 21) and very unbalanced (n = 29). The total mean score of LBI was 1.46. χ2 test revealed statistically significant difference between two categories (unbalanced and very unbalanced) of mothers regarding GMFCS level (p = 0.009). Also, the total mean score of LBI and its subscales showed no significant difference between two categories (unbalanced and very unbalanced) regarding mother job and age and child age (p > 0.05) but it has significant difference regarding mother education (p = 0.009). Evaluation of the results of LBI and its different subscales indicated that the life balance at balanced or very balanced levels was not observed in any of the studied mothers, and they could be categorized in 2 groups of unbalanced (21 mothers ) and very unbalanced (29 mothers) (Table 2). Discussion: Based on the result of this study, mothers of Cerebral Palsy do not experience balanced life and this feeling of unbalance is related to the level of their child’s disability. Thus, it is necessary to consider this fact in family-centered evaluations and Occupational therapy interventions

Does covid-19 pandemic tell us something about time and space to meet our being, belonging and becoming needs?

Background. People’s perceptions of events like a pandemic are shaped by individual experiences within their socio-cultural context. Attributing negative or positive meanings to an experience may influence the sense of Being, Belonging and Becoming. Aim and objectives. To investigate the impact of the isolation/social distancing measures on people’s sense of Being, Belonging, Becoming and overall sense of Occupational Wholeness compared to the time before the Covid-19 Pandemic as it is perceived by an Iranian population. Methods. The Model of Occupational Wholeness used to inform the theoretical basis of this study and development of the survey questions. An internet-based survey using a convenient and snowball sampling method was conducted. A self-administered questionnaire was published using a software named Porsline. A sample of 1624 members of the general population in Iran (67% response rate) completed the questionnaire within the first four weeks of the isolation/social distancing period starting on 18 March 2020. The Data was analysed by the SPSS 22. Results. The participants showed a more positive perceived level of Being and Belonging as well as an overall sense of Occupational Wholeness, and no difference in the perceived sense of Becoming during the isolation/social distancing period compared to the time before the Covid 19 pandemic. Conclusions. The findings show that the isolation/social distancing measures were perceived by participants as an opportunity to meet some of their Being, and Belonging needs that contribute to an overall sense of OccupationalWholeness.This highlights the role that Occupational science and Occupational therapy may have in helping people in situations when they need to rethink and replan for what they Do and the way they attribute meaning to their experiences

Fine Motor Development of Low Birth Weight Infants Corrected Aged 8 to 12 Months

Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the fine motor development between Low Birth Weight (LBW) infants and Normal Birth Weight infants (NBW) at the age of 8-12 months by using the Peabody Developmental Motor Scale-2 (PDMS-2) . Methods: This was a non experimental and cross sectional study which was conducted on the 18 LBW infants and 14 normal infants. By referring to the profile of infants in NICU of Aliasghar Hospital, those with defined inclusion criteria was recognized (case group). The normal weight infants, randomly selected from Health Center of that hospital, matched with case group for date of birth. After completing the questionnaire about demographic variables, their gross motor development was assessed with PDMS-2. Finally the scores of the motor quotient were analyzed by independent t-test statistical method. Results: There was a significant difference between Fine motor quotient of groups (P=0.007). Discussion: This study showed that LBW infants are significantly lower than normal weight infants in attaining Fine motor skills. It means that the LBW infants are more prone to developmental difficulties

Comparison of Motor Skills in Boys and Girls First Grade Student in Tehran

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the motor skills differences between girls and boys (aged 7) in Tehran in 2004. Materials & Methods: This research was analytical descriptive The subjects were 120 children includes 60 girls and 60 boys. those were selected by simple random sampling at the first grade of primary School. Each subject was individually assessed by Lincoln Oseretsky motor developmental scale. Results: The findings of this research after data analysis by spss soft ware and sample t Test indicated that: There is not any significant differences between total score of motor skills, total balance score, static and dynamic balance with open eyes, bilateral motor coordination, upper limbs coordination, upper and lower limbs coordination, velocity and dexterity of hand movements in boys and girls (P>0/005). The only Significant differences between boys and girls motor skills is eye hand coordination (P<0/03). Conclusion: The findings of this research is used to better planning and defining the theraputic and educational programs in the field of motor development

Motor Development Skills of 1- to 4-Year-Old Iranian Children with Early Treated Phenylketonuria

Objective: To gauge the gross and fine motor development of early treated phenylketonuria (ETPKU) in children in the age range of 1–4 years. Materials & Methods: A cross-sectional analytic study was conducted in PKU clinics (reference clinics for PKU follow-up), Tehran, Iran. Seventy children with ETPKU were selected as the case group for the study. ETPKU children were those with early and continuous treatment with a phenylalaninerestricted diet (the mean of blood phenylalanine level during the recent 6 months was 2–6 mg/dL or 120–360 mmol/L). Also, 100 healthy and normal children matched with the ETPKU group for age were randomly selected from 4 kindergartens in four parts of Tehran as a control group. The measurements consisted of a demographic questionnaire, Peabody Developmental Motor Scale-2 (PDMS-2), and pediatrician assessment. Motor quotients were determined by PDMS-2 and then compared in both groups by two independent samples t-test. Results: The mean ages in case and control group were 28.5 (±11.6) and 29.7 (±11.3) months, respectively. Comparison of the mean fine, gross, and total developmental motor quotients (DMQs) showed statistically significant differences between the two groups (P<0.05). The fine and total DMQs of ETPKU children were also correlated with age. In addition, there was a negative correlation between the phenylalanine level and fine (P<0.001) and total (P=0.001) DMQs. Conclusion: It seems that ETPKU Iranian children, regardless of following a phenylalanine-restricted diet or not, have lower motor development. It is recommended to plan programs for early detection and intervention of developmental delays in these children

The Effects of Pre-feeding Oral Stimulations and Non-nutritive Sucking on Physical Growth and Independent Oral Feeding of Preterm Infants

Background: Breastfeeding failures and oral feeding problems in preterm infants result in long-term health complications. In this study, therefore, we aimed to evaluate the effect of oral stimulation along with non-nutritive sucking (NNS) on independent oral feeding initiation and weight gain in preterm infants. Methods: This prospective randomized clinical trial was carried out at Aliasghar Hospital in Tehran, Iran, 2014. A total of 50 26-32 weeks gestational age hospitalized infants, who were fed through tubes, were recruited in the study. The newborns were randomized into A, B and C groups. In the A and B groups, the neonates were stimulated through oral stimulation as well as non-nutritive sucking for 5 or 10 days, while in the group C, no especial intervention was performed. Infants' mean daily weight gain, the number of days until initiation of oral feeding, oral feeding progression, the number of days until reaching full oral feeding and date of discharge were recorded. The obtained data were analyzed and compared in the three groups using SPSS version 16.0. Results: Of all the participants, 25 cases (55.55%) were male. Mean gestational age at birth and mean birth weight were 28.64±1.93 weeks and 1337.11±185.07 grams, respectively. In the group A, newborns' weight at reaching four and eight oral feedings per day and their weights at discharge were significantly higher than the other two groups (P=0.016, 0.001 and 0.001, respectively). Mean daily weight gain in the group A was higher (84.2850 g) than the other groups (69.5814 vs. 64.2677 g). However, ANOVA results showed that this difference was not significant (P=0.108). Moreover, independent samples t-test indicated that this difference between groups A and C was significant (P=0.049). Conclusion: In clinically stable preterm neonates, oral stimulation and should be implemented to increase their weight; however, further studies are required to address this issue

Evaluation of Personal-Social Developmental Skills Levels in Children with Early Treated Phenylketonuria

Objective: This Study aimed to investigate the level of personal-social developmental skills in 1-4 years old children with early treated phenylketonuria. Materials & Methods: This analytic, cross-sectional study has been done on 40 children 1-4 years old referred to clinics of phenylketonuria (PKU) who were diagnosed through screening at birth and were treated. The measurements were a demographic questionnaire, ASQ (Ages & Stages Questionnaire) and clinical assessment by pediatrician. Forty children were also selected randomly as control group from kindergartens of Tehran and completed the questionnaires. Data were analyzed by SPSS 19.0 software. Results: The mean age of Children was 30.7 (±10.5) months in the control group and 27.7 (±11.0) months in the case groups. There was no significant differences between two groups in terms of delivery type and the current and birth height, weight and head circumference. There was a significant difference between two groups regarding personal-social developmental skills (P<0.001). Conclusion: The level of personal-social developmental skills in the children with early treated Phenylketonuria is lower than normal children. Early diagnosis and intervention for all children with early treated Phenylketonuria is recommended