Impact of Sensory and Motor Complementary Program on Severity of Symptoms among Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Abstract

Background: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a prevalent neurodevelopmental disease among children. It is defined by impulsivity, inattention, and/or hyperactivity. Reduction of symptoms’ severity of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder through psychological interventions has garnered lots of interest lately. Aim: This study examined the impact of sensory and motor complementary program on severity of symptoms among children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Design: A randomized controlled trial was used in this study. Setting: child psychiatric outpatient clinic at aboo Elrish Children Hospital. Sample: A purposive sample of 50 children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder was randomly assigned, divided into study and control groups, and allocated to 24 sessions of the program designed to mitigate the symptoms’ severity of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Tools: The pretest measures included the Demographic data form, Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview for Children, and Conners’ Parent Rating Scale-Revised: Long Version. The posttest measure included only the Conners’ Parent Rating Scale-Revised: Long Version. Results: After the program, the study group had a statistically significant reduction in the majority of symptoms with a large effect size compared to the control group. However, there was no statistically significant difference regarding the severity of perfectionism and psychosomatic symptoms which showed a relatively smaller effect size. Conclusion: This study indicated that the sensory and motor complementary program was effective in reducing the symptoms’ severity of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Recommendation: Further research with a large sample size is necessary to ensure the generalizability of such interventions.