Pediatrics & Therapeutics
Open Access

Abstract

Effect of Motor Control Program in Improving Gross Motor Function and Postural Control in Children with Sensorineural Hearing Loss-A Pilot Study

Jalpa Shah, Keerthi Rao, Mandar Malawade and Subhash Khatri

Background: Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) is the most common type of permanent hearing impairment and results from damage to the inner ear or the nerve pathway. Children with hearing impairment have balance and motor deficits primarily due to concomitant damage to the vestibular structures.
Objective: To study the effect of motor control program on improvement of gross motor function and postural control in children with sensorineural hearing loss.
Methods: A pre-post testtrial consisting of 10 participants between the age group of 6 to 12 years with the clinical diagnosis of sensorineural hearing loss. Participants received exercise sessions including 10 min of activities in the following categories: eye hand co-ordination and visual motor training, balance training, activities to improve general co-ordination for 3 days a week for 12 weeks. The outcome was assessed in terms of Pediatric Balance scale (PBS), Test for Gross Motor Development (TGMD-2).
Result: There was highly significant difference seen in scores of both TGMD-2 and PBS (p<0.01).
Conclusion: The findings of the study suggest thatmotor control program including eye-hand co-ordination, visuomotor training, balance training and general co-ordination exercises can be useful to maintain gross motor skills and postural control in children with sensorineural hearing loss.