The Effect of Vestibulo-Proprioceptive Activity on the Visuo-Motor Ability of School-Aged Child With Sensory Processing Difficulties: A Case Study

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of vestibulo-proprioceptive activities on sensory processing and visuo-motor integration in school-aged children with sensory processing difficulties. The study included one school-aged child aged 9 years, and the experiment was conducted from March to April 2022, with a total of 16 sessions held twice a week for 40 minutes each. The child’s sensory processing ability was measured using the KV-SP-2, and visuo-motor integration ability was measured using the VMI-6. To determine the effectiveness of the intervention, the results before and after the vestibulo-proprioceptive activities were compared. The results of KV-SP-2 showed that the child sought more sensory input than before. Auditory and motion processing changed from much more than peers to more than peers. Visual and tactile processing changed from similar to peers to much more than peers. Sensory-seeking behaviors changed from similar to peers to much more than peers, while attentional responses to sensory processing changed from much more than peers to similar to peer. The results of VMI-6 showed that the child’s VMI and visual perception were at an average level, but their motor coordination was slightly lower than average. Specifically, the age equivalence for motor coordination was slightly lower, at 5 years and 3 months, compared 5 years and 6 months for the other domains. In conclusion, vestibulo-proprioceptive activities hand an effect on both sensory and behavioral areas, as well as motor coordination in visuo-motor integration development, in school-aged child with sensory processing difficulties.