scholarly journals Use of Gardening Programs as an Intervention to Increase Children’s Visual-motor Integration

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Aime Sommerfeld ◽  
Amy McFarland ◽  
Tina M. Waliczek ◽  
Jayne Zajicek
Keyword(s):  
Treatment Group ◽  
Short Form ◽  
School Curriculum ◽  
Childhood Development ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Visual Motor Integration ◽  
School Gardening ◽  
Visual Motor ◽  
Children's Development ◽  
Children’S Development

Visual-motor integration is influential in childhood development. Historical anecdotal evidence supports gardening as aiding in children’s development of fine and gross motor skills. The main objective of this study was to examine the effect of a school gardening program on children’s development of visual-motor integration. Preschool children ages 2 to 6 years old enrolled in private tuition-based schools were included in the sample. For 6 months, control group students studied using a traditional school curriculum whereas treatment group students participated in gardening as part of their lessons. The Beery-Buktenica visual-motor integration short-form instrument was used to quantitatively measure students’ levels of visual-motor integration. No significant differences were found in overall comparisons between the treatment and control group students. However, in demographic comparisons, significance was found; standardized scores for males in the treatment group improved whereas scores for males in the control group decreased. Results indicated that male preschoolers may respond especially well to gardening programs in the classroom in developing visual-motor integration.

scholarly journals ‘Grandmother, aren’t you going to sing for us?’ Current childcare practices and caregivers’ perceptions of and receptivity to early childhood development activities in rural Burkina Faso

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. e001233 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Hollowell ◽  
Mari Dumbaugh ◽  
Mireille Belem ◽  
Sylvain Kousse ◽  
Tessa Swigart ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Early Childhood ◽  
Young Children ◽  
Burkina Faso ◽  
Early Childhood Development ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Childhood Development ◽  
Media Intervention ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Children's Development ◽  
Children’S Development

IntroductionEffective stimulation and responsive caregiving during the first 2 years is crucial for children’s development. By age 3–4 years, over 40% of children in sub-Saharan Africa fail to meet basic cognitive or socioemotional milestones, but there are limited data on parenting and childcare practices. This study, conducted to inform the design of a mass media intervention, explored practices, perceptions, motivators and obstacles to childhood development-related practices among parents and caregivers of children aged 0–2 years in rural Burkina Faso.MethodsWe performed two rounds of six focus groups with 41 informants in two villages, using an adapted version of the Trials of Improved Practices methodology. These first explored beliefs and practices, then introduced participants to the principles and benefits of early childhood development (ECD) and provided illustrative examples of three practices (interactive ways of talking, playing and praising) to try with their children. One week later, further discussions explored participants’ experiences and reactions. Data were analysed inductively using thematic content analysis.ResultsExisting activities with young children were predominantly instructive with limited responsive interaction and stimulation. Participants were receptive to the practices introduced, noted positive changes in their children when they adopted these practices and found engagement with children personally rewarding.ConclusionInteractive, stimulating activities with young children did not appear to be widespread in the study area, but caregivers were receptive to information about the importance of early stimulation for children’s development. ECD messages should be tailored to the local sociocultural context and consider time limitations.

scholarly journals Quality of institutional care and early childhood development

2014 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 161-170 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paula Salgado Oliveira ◽  
R. M. Pasco Fearon ◽  
Jay Belsky ◽  
Inês Fachada ◽  
Isabel Soares
Keyword(s):  
Child Behavior Checklist ◽  
Early Childhood Development ◽  
Institutional Care ◽  
Childhood Development ◽  
Children's Development ◽  
Attachment Behaviour ◽  
Observation Results ◽  
Children’S Development ◽  
Caregiving Quality

Institutional rearing adversely affects children’s development, but the extent to which specific characteristics of the institutional context and the quality of care provided contribute to problematic development remains unclear. In this study, 72 preschoolers institutionalised for at least 6 months were evaluated by their caregiver using the Child Behavior Checklist and the Disturbances of Attachment Interview. Distal and proximate indices of institutional caregiving quality were assessed using both staff reports and direct observation. Results revealed that greater caregiver sensitivity predicted reduced indiscriminate behaviour and secure-base distortions. A closer relationship with the caregiver predicted reduced inhibited attachment behaviour. Emotional and behavioural problems proved unrelated to caregiving quality. Results are discussed in terms of (non)-shared caregiving factors that influence institutionalised children’s development.

scholarly journals Effect of teriparatide on quality of life in patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis: a retrospective cohort study

2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 030006051987674
Author(s):  
Tiansong Yang ◽  
Chuwen Feng ◽  
Yuanyuan Qu ◽  
Qingyong Wang ◽  
Yan Yang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Back Pain ◽  
Treatment Group ◽  
Postmenopausal Osteoporosis ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Life Quality ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Teriparatide Treatment ◽  
Sf 36 ◽  
Vas Scores

Objective To evaluate the effect of teriparatide on life quality in patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis. Methods Patients treated from January 2014 to December 2016 were retrospectively included. Patients were divided into two groups according the treatment received. Those in the teriparatide treatment group were followed up for 24 months, and patients in the control group received calcium supplements and vitamin D. Scores for back pain using a visual analog scale (VAS) and score of the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and 36-item Short Form Health Survey of life quality (SF-36) were evaluated at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months and compared between the groups. Results In total, 126 patients were included in the teriparatide treatment group and 127 in the control group. There were no significant differences between the groups concerning body mass index, bone density, VAS back pain score, ODI, and SF-36 life quality scores at baseline. At 3, 6, 12, and 24 months’ follow-up, VAS scores were significantly lower in the treatment group than in controls; ODI and SF-36 scores were significantly higher in the treatment group than in the control group. Conclusion Teriparatide can significantly decrease pain and increase mobility and life quality in patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis.

scholarly journals Efficacy of microcurrent therapy for treatment of acute knee pain: A randomized double-blinded controlled clinical trial

2020 ◽  
pp. 026921552096532
Author(s):  
Daryl Lawson ◽  
Kevin H Lee ◽  
Hyun Bin Kang ◽  
Nan Yang ◽  
Tracy Llewellyn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trial ◽  
Treatment Group ◽  
Knee Pain ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Controlled Clinical Trial ◽  
Physical Function Score ◽  
Double Blinded ◽  
Acute Knee

Objective: We would like to determine whether electrotherapy, specifically microcurrent therapy, increases function and decreases pain in people who have acute knee pain. Design: Randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Setting: University laboratory and patient home. Subjects: A total of 52 subjects (35 females and 17 males) with acute knee pain. Intervention: Treatment group ( n = 26) wore the active microcurrent therapy device at home for 3 hours per day for 4 weeks and the control group ( n = 26) wore the placebo for 3 hours per day for 4 weeks. Main Measures: Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) and Short Form 12 (SF-12) health scale were used to measure the pain level and the functionality of the participants. Secondary assessments included musculoskeletal ultrasound imaging (MSK US) and Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS). Results: A total of 52 subjects completed the study; 26 in the treatment group and 26 in the control group. Microcurrent therapy significantly reduced pain over 4 weeks. Especially week three was significant ( P < 0.01) after adjusting for the family-wise error rate. The analysis on SF-12 revealed those with microcurrent therapy showed an increasing trend in the improvement of physical function score until week three. Conclusion: An active microcurrent therapy device decreased knee pain and increased function. Microcurrent therapy may be an alternative or used with a pharmacological approach for people with acute knee pain.

scholarly journals Effect of using adaptive seating equipment on grasping and visual motor integration in children with hemiparetic cerebral palsy: a randomized controlled trial

2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmed Mahrous Elsayed ◽  
Elham Elsayed Salem ◽  
Sahar Mohamed Nour Eldin ◽  
Mai Elsayed Abbass
Keyword(s):  
Cerebral Palsy ◽  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Visual Motor Integration ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Visual Motor ◽  
And Control ◽  
Experimental Group

Abstract Background Adaptive seating is commonly used as an intervention method to enhance postural control. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of using therapy ball as a seat alternative to using typical chair on grasping and visual motor integration in the children with hemiparetic cerebral palsy. For this aim, thirty children with hemiparetic cerebral palsy from both sexes were included in this study. The children ages ranged from 3 to 6 years old. The degree of spasticity was 1 to 1+ according to modified Ashworth scale. The children were able to sit independently and follow instructions. Children were randomly assigned into two groups (experimental group and control group). Each child was evaluated before and after 3 successive months of selected occupational therapy exercises program. All the children of both groups received the same selected occupational therapy exercises program, but the children in the experimental group performed the exercises while sitting on therapy ball, and the children in the control group performed the exercises while sitting on typical chair. Results There was a significant improvement in the measured variables for both groups after treatment. The post-treatment results of the two groups of grasping and visual motor integration for age equivalent scores revealed significant difference (p=0.008 and p=0.011 respectively) in favor of the experimental group. Conclusions Therapy ball could be used as a seat alternative to using typical chair to facilitate visual motor integration and grasping in the children with hemiparetic cerebral palsy.

scholarly journals Effect of Visual Motor Integration Training on Legibility of Urdu Handwriting

2017 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hafiz Tahir Jameel ◽  
Tanzila Nabeel
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Study ◽  
General Education ◽  
Primary School ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Visual Motor Integration ◽  
Visual Motor ◽  
5Th Grade ◽  
Experimental Group

Visual Motor integration is considered an important skill for the development of manual ability of the children. Handwriting is essential for the school going children. The study in hand examined the effect of Visual Motor Integration (VMI) Training on legibility of Urdu handwriting in 4th and 5th grade students. There were 134 participants taken who have poor handwriting and VMI from general education schools. The research was conducted as an experimental study. Pretest-Posttest Two Group Designed was used in the study. The students were divided into experimental and controlled groups. The selected students in experimental group were imparted six weeks training in order to improve VMI whereas the second was a control group without any intervention. It was observed that the students in experimental group showed significant improvement in legibility of handwriting as compared to control group. The male did not outperform as compared to the female respondents and vice versa. Concisely speaking, the readability in handwriting, similarities in manuscript, roundness and recognition of words were improved as a result of training by the same individual. The VMI training showed the improvement in Urdu handwriting of the students of 4th and 5th classes of primary school.

Prospective Randomized Evaluation of Local Injection of Allogeneic Growth Factors in Plantar Fasciitis

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (11) ◽  
pp. 1335-1341 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahmoud Ibrahim Kandil ◽  
Eslam Abdelshafi Tabl ◽  
Adel Samy Elhammady
Keyword(s):  
Growth Factors ◽  
Treatment Group ◽  
Adverse Effects ◽  
Plantar Fasciitis ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Efficacy And Safety ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Level I

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of injection of allogeneic growth factors in patients with plantar fasciitis. Methods: This study included 150 patients who were randomly divided into 2 equal groups; the patients were locally injected with allogeneic growth factors (GFs) (treatment group) or with saline 0.9% (control group). The patients were assessed using visual analog scale (VAS) and Foot Function Index–Revised short form (FFI-Rs) scores preinjection and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postinjection. The patients were questioned about their satisfaction. Any adverse effects were recorded. Results: At baseline, there was no significant difference between both groups regarding the mean VAS and FFI-Rs scores. At 3-month follow-up, the reduction in mean VAS score was 87% in the treatment group and 55% in the control group ( P < .001), and the reduction in mean FFI-Rs score was 62% in the treatment group and 40% in the control group ( P < .001). Treatment group and study visit were significant factors affecting both VAS and FFI-Rs scores. Overall, 92% were satisfied in the treatment group, and 78.2% in the control group. Postinjection pain occurred in 5 patients in the treatment group. Conclusion: This study provides Level I evidence regarding the efficacy and safety of allogeneic GF injection in patients with plantar fasciitis. However, additional studies are needed to evaluate their adverse effects, immunogenicity, and microbiological safety. Level of Evidence: Level I, prospective randomized controlled case series.

scholarly journals The effect of using mind maps on the development of maths and science skills

2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 32-45 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ozgul Polat ◽  
Ezgi Aksin Yavuz ◽  
Ayse Betul Ozkarabak Tunc
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Model ◽  
Test Scores ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Mind Mapping ◽  
Post Test ◽  
Mind Maps ◽  
High Level ◽  
Children's Development ◽  
Children’S Development

The aim of this study is to examine the effect of mind mapping activities on the maths and science skills of children 48 to 60 months of age. The study was designed using an experimental model with a pre-test post-test and a control group. Accordingly, the hypotheses of the study was that there would be meaningful differences in the values obtained from the pre-test and post-test scores in favor of the children working with mind maps compared to the ones who did not work with mind maps. In the examination of the development of mind maps, it was observed that as the children engaged in preparing mind maps, they used skills requiring high-level mind organization. Mind maps, which can be used in all areas of life, are believed to be supportive of children's development areas and to be an important strategy for children to adopt and experience during the time of childhood.   Keywords: mind maps, maths skills, science skills

scholarly journals IMPLEMENTASI PEMBELAJARAN TERPADU TERHADAP PERKEMBANGAN ANAK USIA DINI DI KB-TK ISLAM AL AZHAR 31 YOGYAKARTA

2014 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 160
Author(s):  
Avanti Vera Risti Pramudyani ◽  
Sugito Sugito
Keyword(s):  
Early Childhood ◽  
Early Childhood Education ◽  
Childhood Development ◽  
Integrated Learning ◽  
Analysis Model ◽  
Research Subjects ◽  
Childhood Education ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Children's Development ◽  
Children’S Development

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui implementasi pembelajaran terpadu pada pendidikan anak usia dini dan pengaruh pembelajaran terpadu terhadap aspek perkembangan anak. Penelitian ini adalah Penelitian metode kualitatif dengan dengan pendekatan fenomenologis yang mendeskripsikan tentang pemahaman terhadap seseorang di berbagai situasi dimana akan menjadi bagian utama dalam penggambarannya. Teknik pengumpulan data pengamatan peran serta, di mana peneliti berfungsi sebagai instrumen yang tak terpisahkan dengan subjek penelitian untuk melakukan wawancara mendalam, pengamatan terus-menerus dan studi dokumentasi. Analisis data dilakukan dengan model analisis interaktif yang dilakukan melalui empat kegiatan utama yakni: pengumpulan data, reduksi data, penyajian data dan penarikan kesimpulan atau verifikasi. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan Proses pembelajaran terpadu yang dilakukan belum memperlihatkan keterkaitan antara tema dan dilakukan melalui tahapan: kegiatan perencanaan, pelaksanaan, dan evaluasi. Pengaruh pembelajaran terhadap perkembangan anak, bidang yang paling menonjol adalah bidang sosial emosional dengan pengenalan “rewards and punishment”.Kata kunci: pembelajaran terpadu, pendidikan anak usia dini, aspek perkembangan anak THE IMPLEMENTATION OF INTEGRATED LEARNING IN EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT IN KB-TK ISLAM AL AZHAR 31 YOGYAKARTAAbstractThis study aims to investigate: (1) the implementation of integrated learning in early childhood education, and (2) the impact of integrated learning on the aspects of children’s development. The study employed the qualitative method with the phenomenological approach in which the illustration of understanding people in different situation becomes the essential point of the data. The data were collected through participant observations, in which the researcher functioned as the instrument inseparable from the research subjects to carry out in-depth interviews, continuous observations, and documentation study. The data analysis technique was the interactive analysis model conducted in four main activities, namely data collection, data reduction, data display, and conclusion drawing or verification. The research findings are as follows. (1) The implemented integrated learning process has not shown the relation among themes and was conducted through the stages of activity planning, implementation, and evaluation. In terms of the impact of learning on children’s development, the most outstanding areas are the emotional and social areas using the introduction to rewards and punishments.Keywords: integrated learning, early childhood education, aspects of children’s development

scholarly journals The Effect of Conduction Exercise and Self-Acupressure in Treatment of Parkinson’s Disease: A Pilot Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Chun-Sum Yuen ◽  
Ka-Kit Chua ◽  
Wai-Hing Lau ◽  
Zhi-Yuen Zhuang ◽  
Ho-Yan Chow ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Parkinson's Disease ◽  
Treatment Group ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Complementary Therapy ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Clinical Trial Registry ◽  
Symptom Scale ◽  
Secondary Outcomes ◽  
Domain Scores

Introduction. Parkinson’s disease cannot be well treated by conventional medication. Acupuncture and Tai Chi are proven to be effective in relieving symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. Traditional Chinese medicine exercises may prove to be an effective complementary therapy. Objective. To evaluate the efficacy and safety of conduction exercise and self-acupressure in treating Parkinson’s disease. Method. This study is an accessor- and data analyzer-blind, add-on, randomized, controlled, pilot clinical study. In the treatment group, they were taught to practice conduction exercise and self-acupressure for 8 weeks. No additional treatment was given in the control group. Assessments were done at week 4 and week 8 of the treatment period. The primary outcomes are the total score and domain scores of the Chinese version of 39-item Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire. The secondary outcomes are the total score and domain scores of a custom-designed questionnaire, which is a short form of Nonmotor Symptom Scale. Results. 22 patients in the treatment group and 14 in the control group continued to the treatment phase. Patients in the treatment group displayed improvement trends in primary and secondary outcomes. Improvements were significant in two areas of a custom-designed questionnaire: total score (p=0.014) and domain score of gastrointestinal tract (p=0.004). No severe adverse events were reported. Conclusion. Conduction exercise and self-acupressure were well accepted by and feasible for Parkinson’s disease patients. The data generated can be used for the planning of future studies. The exercise regime can be promoted as a home-based, self-practice therapy for Parkinson’s disease patients, due to its safety, low cost, and convenience in implementation. This study is registered with the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR-IPR-17011987, on 14 July 2017).

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