Impact of Pranayama on Fine Moter Coordination Ability of Children with Intellectual Impairment

Abstract

Approximately 2.5% to 3% of the children are intellectually impaired who lack fine motor coordination abilities like eye-hand coordination, grip strength in fingers, etc. There is a need to improve their condition for better survival. Pranayama has been found to be very effective in the case of general children in the development of these abilities. But there is very little study on the application of pranayama practice for children with intellectual impairment. In the present five mild intellectually impaired children of age ranges 7 -10 years practiced the pranayama for 60 days. The performance of all children shows significant difference at 0.01 levels at 20 degree of freedom for the "inserting pegs task" developed by Indian Medico Instruments. It indicates the pranayama in an effective way to improve the fine motor coordination ability among children with intellectual impairment.

Yoga therapy as an adjunct to traditional tooth brushing training methods in children with autism spectrum disorder

“…Singh S and Singh JP (2014) assessed the impact of pranayama sessions for 60 days in children with intellectual impairment on fine motor coordination. The children were able to perform the “inserting pegs task,” which indicates that pranayama improves the fine motor coordination like eye‐hand coordination and grip strength in fingers . Bhavanani et al (2012) conducted a study to assess the neurological benefits of yoga by recording the Reaction Time in mentally challenged subject's pre‐ and post‐Mukha Bhastrika—a bellows type of pranayama .…”

“…The children were able to perform the "inserting pegs task," which indicates that pranayama improves the fine motor coordination like eye-hand coordination and grip strength in fingers. 16 Bhavanani et al (2012) conducted a study to assess the neurological benefits of yoga by recording the Reaction Time in mentally challenged subject's pre-and post-Mukha Bhastrika-a bellows type of pranayama. 17 Recent study by Ramanathan et al (2019) also reported a reduced reaction time in children with ASD following yoga training.…”

Effect of Pranayama and Eye Exercises on Eye to Hand Coordination: Study by Finger Dexterity Test

“…Throughout, the thoracic muscles should be kept contracted. (8) Subject has to practice it as a 5-10 minute sessions, at least twice a day. If this is found unpleasant, one can try mini-sessions, palming for a period of 15 breaths, up to 20 times a day.…”

“…Pranayama "prana" + "yama" is the fourth limb of yoga which balances nervous system and improves mental clarity and physical coordination. (8) Yoga training enhances the grip strength, dexterity, confidence, self-efficiency, mental health, creativity, concentration, memory & intellectual abilities. Yoga also influence several motor functions including static motor performance, tweezer dexterity as well as visuomotor speed.…”

“…Yoga also influence several motor functions including static motor performance, tweezer dexterity as well as visuomotor speed. (8,9,10,11,12,13) Kapalabhati pranayama along with breath awareness enhances fine motor skills measured by finger dexterity and visual discrimination assessed by the shape and size discrimination task. (6) Hence this study was carried out to see the effect of pranayama and eye exercise techniques on eye to hand coordination by finger dexterity test.…”