IMPACT OF AQUATIC THERAPY ON SENSORY MODULATION OF AUTISTIC CHILDREN TO IMPROVE ACTIVITIES OF DAILY LIVING
Keywords:
Hydrotherapy, Sensation Disorder, Functional Independence Measure, Short Sensory Profile, Autistic Disorder.Abstract
OBJECTIVES
A Quasi experimental study was performed to evaluate the impact of aquatic therapy on sensory modulation in order to improve the
ADL’s in children with autistic spectrum disorder.
STUDY DESIGN
A Quasi Experimental study.
SAMPLING TECHNIQUE
Convenience sampling technique was used.
STUDY SETTINGS & PARTICIPANTS
This study was conducted in Liaquat National Hospital-Occupational Therapy Peads Unit. The participants were the children with autistic
spectrum disorder having sensory modulation disorder.
INTERVENTIONS
56 autistic children were enrolled in this study. Each autistic child was first assessed on the basis of sensory profile for sensory deprivation
and on WeeFIM pediatric functional independence measure for activities of daily living. The entire protocol was divided into six
months of aquatic therapy with a frequency of 3 days a week.
RESULTS
A significant difference was observed in pre and post measurement of sensory profile and WeeFIM score measured by paired t-test. The
p-value is found to be 0.03 on sensory profile and a p-value of 0.02 on FIM.
CONCLUSION
The findings indicated that the aquatic therapy has good impact on sensory modulation for activities of daily living.
KEYWORDS
Hydrotherapy, Sensation Disorder, Functional Independence Measure, Short Sensory Profile, Autistic Disorder.
