A comparative study of motor speed between children and adolescents with blindness and normal peers

Document Type : Original Articles

Authors
Vahid Nejati 1
Hajar Bahrami 2
Fatemeh Dibaee 3
1 Assistant Professor, Department of Clinical Psychology, School of Psychology and Educational Science, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
2 MSc, Child and Adolescent Clinical Psychology, Department of Clinical Psychology, School of Psychology and Educational Science, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
3 BSc Student, Undergraduate of Special Children Psychology, School of Psychology and Educational Science, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
10.22122/jrrs.v8i5.306
Abstract
 Original Article Introduction: Visual impairment has an impact on all aspects of a child’s development. The purpose of this study was to compare motor speed among children and adolescents with blindness and their normal peers. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 30 blind students and 30 normal counterparts were randomly recruited from the elementary schools of Tehran, Iran. Finger tapping task was used as a neuropsychological test of motor speed. The collected data were analyzed through independent t-test. Results: Findings showed that there was a significant difference between the two groups regarding motor speed. Conclusion: When vision is impaired, difficulties are also arisen in motor abilities. The co-occurring of motor and visual deficits should be considered in the clinical assessment and intervention of blind persons. Keywords: Motor speed, Total blindness, Visual impairment, Sensory integrity, Children and adolescents
Journal of Research in Rehabilitation Sciences
Volume 8, Issue 5 - Serial Number 5
January 2013
Pages 970-976