A quasi-experimental pre-post study will be conducted at pediatric therapy clinics and special education centers, involving 17 children aged 6-12 years diagnosed with mild to moderate ASD, selected through convenient sampling. The intervention will consist of kinetic sand play for 30 minutes, three times per week, over six weeks, including activities such as molding objects, searching for hidden items, and free play to enhance creativity, grip strength, and coordination. Eye-hand coordination and functional reach will be assessed using the Purdue Pegboard Test (PPT) and the Functional Reach Test. Data will be analyzed using SPSS Version 26 with paired t-tests or appropriate non-parametric methods. Ethical approval will be obtained from the Research Ethical Committee of Riphah International University, Lahore.
Children with autism often experience deficits in fine motor skills, sensory processing, and motor coordination, which can significantly impede their ability to perform functional tasks such as reaching and manipulating objects. Kinetic sand, with its unique moldable and tactile properties, offers a multisensory experience that encourages repetitive hand movements, proprioceptive input, and tactile engagement. These characteristics make it an ideal medium to potentially improve functional reach and eye-hand coordination. The intervention is designed to provide calming sensory input that may reduce tactile defensiveness and anxiety, thereby facilitating greater focus and motor control. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of kinetic sand as a sensory-motor intervention for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). A quasi-experimental study that follows a single group before and after ten months will occur at various pediatric therapy clinics and special education centers. Seventeen children between 6 and 12 years old, diagnosed with mild to moderate ASD, will be invited using non-probability convenient sampling, after allowing for the effect of potential dropouts. The intervention will last six weeks and consists of playing with kinetic sand for 30 minutes, three times every week. Activities will require molding objects, looking for hidden items, and simply playing freely to help children get creative, improve their grips, and learn coordination. The Purdue Pegboard Test (PPT) and Functional Reach test will be used to study changes in hand-eye coordination and in reaching tasks. Scores will be analyzed by SPSS Version 26, either with paired t- tests or with non-parametric methods based on what is suitable. The conclusions might assist therapists in applying sensory-motor therapy to children with autism in Pakistan. The synopsis will be presented to the Research Ethical Committee of Riphah International University, Lahore, for ethical approval to conduct this study.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
OTHER
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
17
After obtaining consent, the patient was introduced to a rehabilitation protocol combining traditional physiotherapy for the wrist and hand with kinetic sand therapy. The program included range of motion exercises, grip strengthening, and kinetic sand activities, performed for 40 minutes per session, 6 days per week, over 7 weeks. This comprehensive approach aimed to reduce pain and swelling while improving hand function, strength, and coordination.
Imran Amjad
Lahore, Punjab Province, Pakistan
RECRUITINGFunctional Reach
To assess functional reach before and after the intervention, the Functional Reach Test will be used to evaluate improvements in balance and reaching ability. This method allows measurement of the maximum distance a child can reach forward beyond arm's length while maintaining a stable standing position. Changes in reach distance will indicate improvements in postural control, stability, and functional mobility, reflecting the effectiveness of the intervention.
Time frame: 7 weeks
Eye-Hand Coordination
To assess eye-hand coordination before and after the intervention, the Purdue Pegboard Test will be used to evaluate improvements in fine motor skills and coordination. This method allows measurement of hand dexterity, speed, and accuracy by recording the number of pins placed within a specific time. Changes in scores will indicate improvements in coordination between visual input and hand movements, reflecting the effectiveness of the intervention.
Time frame: 7 weeks
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