The Use of Telerehabilitation to Improve Motor Skills and Participation in Children With Developmental Disorders

The Use of Telerehabilitation to Enhance Motor Function, Activity Performance, and Participation in Children With Developmental Coordination Disorder

This randomized controlled trial aimed to compare the effects of a traditional sensory-based intervention and a telerehabilitation-based sensory intervention in children aged 3-7 years diagnosed with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD). Participants were randomly assigned to either face-to-face or combined face-to-face and telerehabilitation groups. The outcome measures included occupational performance, sensory processing, and functional independence. The study was conducted with ethical approval, and informed consent was obtained from all legal guardians.

This single-blind, parallel-group randomized controlled trial aimed to compare the effects of a traditional face-to-face sensory-based intervention and a telerehabilitation-based sensory intervention in children aged 3-7 years diagnosed with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD). A total of 22 participants were randomized into two groups: the Sensory-Based Intervention (SBI) group and the Telerehabilitation-Based Sensory Intervention (TBSI) group.

The SBI group received weekly 40-minute in-person sessions for 8 weeks. The TBSI group received the same 8-week in-person intervention followed by 8 weeks of weekly 30-minute telerehabilitation sessions delivered via Zoom. Both interventions included structured sensory activities tailored to each child's developmental level.

Primary and secondary outcomes were measured before and after the intervention using the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM), the Dunn Sensory Profile Parent Questionnaire, and the Functional Independence Measure for Children (WeeFIM). The study followed CONSORT guidelines and ethical approval was obtained. Written informed consent was provided by all legal guardians.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Having a neurodevelopmental disorder with a confirmed diagnosis of one of the following: autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability, developmental delay, communication disorder, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Absence of any condition that may interfere with cooperation during the study
• Receiving occupational therapy training for a duration between 3 months and 1 year to ensure group homogeneity in terms of prior therapy experience

Exclusion Criteria:

• Presence of any visual or hearing impairment that could affect study outcomes
• Having any systemic disease
• Having a physical disability that may interfere with movement or motor function