Sensorimotor Therapy: Using Stereotypic Movements and Vestibular Stimulation to Increase Sensorimotor Proficiency of Children with Attentional and Motor Difficulties

Abstract

The current naturalistic study examined whether sensorimotor therapy utilizing the training program, Retraining for Balance, might be an appropriate technique for sensorimotor proficiency. The 232 children (181 boys, 51 girls), whose mean age was 9.3 yr. (SD = 2.7), presented attentional and motor difficulties (according to the School Health Care) as indicated by their parents before starting therapy. The children were divided into three groups, i.e., a younger group (7 yr. old or younger, n = 65), a middle group (8 to 10 yr. old, n = 91), and an older group (11 yr. old or older, n = 76). The program has seven parts, including fetal and neonatal movements, vestibular and auditory perceptual stimulation, and gross motor movements, among others. The treatment period was close to 3 yr. on the average. Analyses in a repeated-measures design indicated significant improvement of sensorimotor skills among the three age groups, but the older children performed better than the others on several tests. There were only a few sex differences. Retraining for Balance may be a functional technique for training children and youth with sensorimotor difficulties and might constitute a complement to regular treatment of Developmental Coordination Disorder, Learning Disability, and ADHD, but controlled studies are necessary before more decisive conclusions can be drawn.

Could Motor Development Be an Emergent Property of Vestibular Stimulation and Primary Reflex Inhibition? A Tentative Approach to Sensorimotor Therapy

“…In line with his discussion, with Bergström (1972Bergström ( , 1989 and also with Gesell (1988) we have used the concept 'behavioral movement patterns' as a complementary term (Niklasson, et al, 2009). Other authors, for example McPhillips, Hepper, and Mulhem (2000), use the term 'primary reflexes' while French authors such as Mehler and Dupoux (1994) use 'archaic'.…”

“…I will now reconnect to 3.3 and give a brief presentation of assessment and training according to the method RB. For a more thorough description see Niklasson, et al(2009.…”

“…Polatjko et al (2004) end their review by stressing the importance and need for rigorous research to explore methods of treatment suitable for DCD. The method Retraining for Balance, to be presented below, is a new strong candidate which in initial studies (Niklasson, Niklasson, & Norlander, 2009; has shown not only promising results but also has opened up a novel perspective on sensorimotor training. This novel perspective might give us a hint as to why previous methods have failed to break through.…”

“…One has argued elsewhere for an early screening and detection of ADHD and DCD (Rasmussen & Gillberg, 2000) not least since coexistence (comorbidity) means that poor psychosocial functioning is very likely. Two of us have previously (Niklasson, et al, 2009;) evaluated a method for sensorimotor therapy, Retraining for Balance. Together we have published (Niklasson, Rasmussen, & Norlander, 2010) a call for the importance of further studies.…”

Vestibular therapy improved motor planning, attention, and balance in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorders: a randomized controlled trial

“…In addition, vestibular stimulation in children with cerebral palsy resulted in the significantly improved development of gross motor skills and motor coordination [44]. Furthermore, the effects of vestibular stimulation and sensory-motor activities resulted in calming and hyperactivity control in children with ADHD and the improvement in gross motor skills [48]. Different brain structures including cortex, right inferior frontal regions, the left sensorimotor cortex, basal ganglia, cerebellum and bilateral vermis, right cingulate cortex, and brainstem on both sides are involved in the etiology of ADHD [49,50].…”