Effects of Task-oriented Training on Visual-motor Integration and Upper Limb Function in Children With Down Syndrome

Summary

The condition known as Down Syndrome (DS) is caused by trisomy 21, or the presence of an extra copy of chromosome 21. DS is the most common survivable autosomal aneuploidy and one of the genetically complicated problem compatible with post-term human survival. Based on current birth prevalence, the prevalence of DS is around 25%-40%. It is one of the most prevalent disease. Visual-motor integration difficulties are common in children with DS, which affects their capacity to synchronize hand movements with vision. This may have an impact on ADLS like writing, eating, grooming. Both delays in motor skills and visual processing might cause difficulties in this domain.

This study will be a randomized controlled trial conducted in spectrum clinic. This study will be completed in time duration of 10 months after approval of synopsis. Non-probability convenience sampling technique will be used and 28 participants will be recruited in study after randomization. Informed consent will be taken from gradians then, the subjects will be divided into two groups and the Group A (Experimental group) will receive task-oriented training 3 times a week which focus on exercises that improve UL function and visual motor coordination and Group B (Control group) will receive general physiotherapy plan and game-based interventions. Poor visual motor skills are one of the inclusion criteria, but significant intellectual disability, prior involvement in related interventions, and untreated medical or psychological conditions are among the exclusion criteria. The data will be assessed at the baseline and after 8th week of treatment. After data collection data will be analyzed by using SPSS version 23.

Conditions

• Down Syndrome

Interventions

OTHER

task oriented training

The 8-week intervention program targets fine motor and functional play skills in children through progressive weekly activities. Week 1 focuses on eye-hand coordination (e.g., stacking blocks, bead stringing), followed by grasp and release control in Week 2 (e.g., object transfer tasks). Week 3 enhances reaching and precision (e.g., targeting and catching), while Week 4 develops bilateral coordination (e.g., buttoning, tearing paper). Week 5 works on visual-motor planning (e.g., drawing, tracing), and Week 6 encourages daily functional play (e.g., pouring, pretend cooking). Week 7 combines skills (e.g., dressing a doll, coin placement), and Week 8 consolidates learning through review and practice of previous tasks.

OTHER

conventional therapy

The control group will receive standard physical therapy consisting of general exercises aimed at improving overall strength, flexibility, and gross motor skills, without specifically targeting visual-motor integration or fine motor skills. Sessions will also include non-specific recreational activities such as free play or unstructured tasks. The intervention will be conducted three times per week, with each session lasting 45-60 minutes, over a total duration of 8 weeks.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Riphah International University

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Sajal Waheed, MS-PT · Riphah International University

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

OTHER

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

6 Years

Max Age

12 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2025-04-15

Primary Completion

2025-04-15

Completion

2025-06-16