Efficacy of fine motor and balance exercises on fine motor skills in children with sensorineural hearing loss

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Mehrem, Elsayed S.^a | Fergany, Lamyaa A.^b | Mohamed, Said A.^c | Fares, Hany M.^d | Kamel, Roshdy M.^{e; *}

Affiliations: [a] Department of Physical Therapy for Pediatrics, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Deraya University, Egypt | [b] Department of Neurological and Neurosurgical, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Deraya University, Egypt | [c] Woman Health Department, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Deraya University, Egypt | [d] Department of Physical Therapy for Internal Medicine and surgery, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Ahram Canadian University, Egypt | [e] Basic Sciences Department, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Benha University, Egypt

Correspondence: [*] Corresponding author: Roshdy M. Kamel, Basic Sciences Department, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Benha University, Egypt. Tel.: +201060169997; E-mail: roshdy.mostafa@fpt.bu.edu.eg.

Abstract: Background: Childhood hearing impairment is a major disability associated with delayed motor development. The affected Fine motor performance in children with sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) could be due to dynamic balance deficits and visual-motor incoordination. Objective: This study was designed to investigate the effects of fine motor exercises with or without balancing exercises on fine motor skills in children with SNHL. Methods: One hundred and eighty (180) children their age ranged from 8 to 18 years old diagnosed with SNHL were selected. They were divided into three groups, 60 children (control group) practiced only their ordinary activities of daily living, 60 children (fine motor exercises group) practiced fine motor exercises, and 60 children (fine motor and balance exercise) group practiced fine motor and balance exercises. The outcomes were assessed by the Bruininks Oseretsky Test of the motor proficiency second edition scale (BOT-2). Results: Generally, there was a statistically significant difference between control group and fine motor exercises group where (p < 0.05), besides, there was a statistically significant difference between control group and fine motor and balance exercises group where (p < 0.05). But, there was no statistically significant difference between fine motor exercises group and fine motor and balance exercises group where (p > 0.05). Conclusions: The Fine Motor performance of children with SNHL has been improved by Fine motor with or without balancing exercises according to (BOT-2).

Keywords: Hearing loss, fine motor, balance exercises

DOI: 10.3233/RNN-211156

Journal: Restorative Neurology and Neuroscience, vol. 40, no. 1, pp. 43-52, 2022