Effects of occupational therapy - led fine motor centers on fine motor skills of preschool-aged children: An evidence-based program evaluation

ABSTRACT

Aim: This program evaluation examined the effects of occupational therapy (OT)-led fine motor centers (FMCs) on the fine motor skills of typically-developing preschool-aged children.

Methods: This program evaluation was completed with 29 children from two preschool Great Start Readiness Program classrooms. The experimental group received OT-led FMCs twice per week for 8 weeks; the control group continued with their regular curriculum. The fine motor subtest of the Miller Function and Participation Scales (M-FUN) was used to collect data regarding fine motor skills pre- and post- intervention and 6 weeks post-intervention. A two-way mixed ANOVA was utilized for data analysis.

Results: Baseline M-FUN scores of the control and experimental group at pre-test were not significantly different (p>0.067). There was a significant difference between the groups at post-test and follow-up testing (p<0.006, p<0.001). The experimental group demonstrated significant differences in M-FUN scores pre- to post-test, post-test to follow-up, and pre-test to follow-up (p<0.000, p<0.000, p<0.026); there was no significant difference in control group M-FUN scores pre- to post-test or post-test to follow-up (p>0.090, p>0.060). There was a significant difference in control group scores pre-test to follow-up (p<0.011). Additionally, 85.7% of participants in the experimental group had fine motor delays at pre-test; at follow-up testing, only 7% had delays. Eighty-six percent of control group participants had fine motor delays at pre-test; 53.3% of participants still had delays at follow-up testing.

Conclusion: OT-led FMCs in preschool classrooms may improve fine motor skills of preschool-aged students; additional research with a larger sample size is suggested.

KEYWORDS:

• Fine motor
• occupational therapy
• preschool
• prevention

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the teachers at the school where the program evaluation was conducted for their support and willingness to support the study. The researchers would also like to thank the children who participated in the study and their parents, as well as Dr. Meghan Baruth for expertise and assistance with data analysis. Finally, the researchers wish to thank Dr. Lisa Brewer for assistance in creation of FMCs, and providing expertise and insight for working with the pediatric population.

Declaration Of Interest

This manuscript was based off an evidence-based program evaluation completed by the primary authors (K.B., J.F., L.G., and S.M.), as part of requirements for the Master of Science in Occupational Therapy program at Saginaw Valley State University. The project was not supported by any committees.

Additional information

Funding

This research was not supported by any external funding.