The Effects of Bilateral and Unilateral Perceptual-Motor Exercises on Manual Dexterity and Visuospatial Memory in Children With Nonverbal Learning Disorder

Summary

The goal of this semi-experimental study is to investigate whether bilateral (limbs of both sides of the body, such as left and right hands) perceptual-motor (PM) exercises and unilateral (limb of only one side of the body, such as only the left hand) PM exercises affect manual dexterity and visuospatial memory in children with nonverbal learning disorder (NVLD). Each type of perceptual-motor exercise (bilateral vs. unilateral) is delivered in two different ways. Within each method, free-play and non-interventional activities are scheduled at different times (e.g., at the beginning vs. the end of the intervention phase). The main questions this study aims to address are:

1. Which type of perceptual-motor (PM) exercise-bilateral or unilateral-is more effective in improving manual dexterity of left and right hands and visuospatial memory in children with nonverbal learning disorder (NVLD)?
2. Which training sequence in unilateral and bilateral groups-free-play and self-oriented activities followed by interventional exercises, or interventional exercises followed by free-play activities-has a greater impact on right and left hands manual dexterity and visuospatial memory scores in children with NVLD?

Conditions

• Non-verbal Learning Disorder

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Unilateral perceptual-motor (PM) training intervention followed by free-play activities

The first 18 sessions (3 days per week) students took the unilateral (PM) exercise interventional training program, where they used only their left hand for participating in interventional training program. The second phase started after 18 sessions interventional exercises, with 6sessions (one session per week) of non-interventional , free-play, and self oriented activates.

BEHAVIORAL

Free-play activities followed by unilateral perceptual-motor (PM) training intervention

The first phase is 6sessions ( one session per week) of free-play and non-interventional activates followed by 18 sessions (three sessions per week) of interventional unilateral training program, where students have to use only their left hand for doing the assignments of protocol.

BEHAVIORAL

Bilateral perceptual-motor (PM) training intervention followed by free-play and non-interventional activities in Phase 2

The first 18 sessions (three sessions per week) students took the bilateral (PM) exercise interventional training program, where they used their both hands for participating in interventional training exercises. The second phase started after 18 sessions interventional exercises, with 6sessions (one session per week) of non-interventional , free-play, and self oriented activates.

BEHAVIORAL

Free play non-interventional exercises in first phase followed by bilateral interventional exercises

The first phase is 6sessions (one session per week) of free-play and non-interventional activates followed by 18 sessions (three sessions per week) of interventional bilateral training program, where students have to use their both hands for doing the assignments of protocol.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Allameh Tabatabai University

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

BASIC_SCIENCE

Masking

SINGLE

Model

CROSSOVER

Eligibility

Min Age

7 Years

Max Age

9 Years

Sex

FEMALE

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2023-05-01

Primary Completion

2023-07-30

Completion

2023-07-30

Countries

• Iran

Study Locations