Volume 11, Issue 2 (8-2024)                   J Jiroft Univ Med Sci 2024, 11(2): 1554-1564 | Back to browse issues page


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Mohammadi F, Qarabaghi P, Salehi Mobarakeh N. Investigating the Effect of Perceptual-motor Exercises on Sustained Attention and Memory Performance of Children with Autism Spectrum. J Jiroft Univ Med Sci 2024; 11 (2) :1554-1564
URL: http://journal.jmu.ac.ir/article-1-784-en.html
1- Assistant Professor of Motor Behavior, Department of Physical Education & Sport Science, Abadan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Abadan, Iran , Farzad.Mohammadi@iau.ac.ir
2- MA. of Motor Behavior, Department of Physical Education & Sport Science, Shoushtar Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shoushtar, Iran
3- Assistant Professor of Sport Management, Department of Physical Education & Sport Science, Abadan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Abadan, Iran
Abstract:   (831 Views)
Introduction: Children with autism spectrum have disorders in cognitive tasks, including attention and memory. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of perceptual-motor exercises on the sustained attention and memory performance of autistic children.
Materials and Methods: The method of the study was semi-experimental with a pre-test-post-test design and a control group. The statistical population included the autistic children of Ahvaz city, 30 of whom were selected through available sampling and, after completing the autism scale, they were randomly divided into a homogeneous experimental and control group. Research tools included autism scale, continuous performance test and memory test. Both groups performed continuous performance and memory tests in the pre- and post-tests. The experimental group underwent perceptual-motor exercises for eight weeks, two sessions per week. Data were analyzed through independent t-tests and analysis of covariance with SPSS software version 26 at a significance level of 0.05.
Results: The effect of perceptual motor exercises on memory performance in subscales of general information, orientation, mental control, repetition of forward digits, logical memory, associative learning, and visual memory was significant (p<0.05). Also, perceptual-motor exercises were significantly effective in the variable of sustained attention in the subscales of ratio of correct response to target stimulus, ratio of correct response to non-target stimulus, correct response reaction time, omission error, and commission error (p<0.05).
Conclusion: Based on the results, perceptual-motor exercises can improve sustained attention and memory in children with autism spectrum. Therefore, it is suggested that the training and practice of perceptual-motor activities be included in the agenda of trainers and occupational therapists of educational and therapeutic centers.
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Type of Study: Research | Subject: Medical Sciences / Sports Medicine
Received: 2024/04/7 | Accepted: 2024/07/24 | Published: 2024/08/31

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