Effect of external sensory integration on motor functional disorder in children with attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD)

Abstract

Purpose. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder in children, often associated with motor impairments affecting balance, coordination, and overall motor function. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of conventional physiotherapy alone versus conventional physiotherapy combined with sensory integration therapy in improving motor function in children with ADHD in India. Material & Methods. A total of 102 children with ADHD (aged 3–12 years) were recruited and randomly assigned to either the control group (conventional physiotherapy, n=51) or the experimental group (conventional physiotherapy + sensory integration therapy, n=51). The intervention lasted six months, with five sessions per week, each groups. Motor function and ADHD symptoms were assessed pre-and post-intervention using 60 minutes Conner’s Teacher Rating Scale, Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM), and the Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire (DCDQ). Results. Post-intervention, the experimental group showed significant improvements in ADHD symptoms (p=0.002), gross motor function (p=0.001), and coordination skills (p=0.01) compared to the control group. Both groups demonstrated high adherence rates (p>0.05), indicating the feasibility of integrating sensory therapy into routine physiotherapy. Conclusions. The findings suggest that sensory integration therapy, when combined with physiotherapy, significantly enhances motor function and reduces ADHD symptoms more effectively than physiotherapy alone. These results support the incorporation of sensory-based interventions into ADHD rehabilitation programs in India. Further research with larger sample sizes is recommended.