title: Effectiveness of iPad apps on visual-motor skills among children with special needs between 4y0m-7y11m.
abstract: The aim of this randomized controlled trial was to assess the effectiveness of interventions using iPad applications compared to traditional occupational therapy on visual-motor integration (VMI) in school-aged children with poor VMI skills.
  
  
  
  Twenty children aged 4y0m to 7y11m with poor VMI skills were randomly assigned to the experimental group (interventions using iPad apps targeting VMI skills) or control group (traditional occupational therapy intervention sessions targeting VMI skills). The intervention phase consisted of two 40-min sessions per week, over a period of 10 weeks. Participants were required to attend a minimum of 8 and a maximum of 12 sessions. The subjects were tested using the Beery-VMI and the visual-motor subscale of the M-FUN, at baseline and follow-up.
  
  
  
  Results from a 2-way mixed design ANOVA yielded significant results for the main effect of time for the M-FUN total raw score, as well as in the subscales Amazing Mazes, Hidden Forks, Go Fishing and VM Behavior. However, gains did not differ between intervention types over time. No significant results were found for the Beery-VMI.
  
  
  
  This study supports the need for further research into the use of iPads for the development of VMI skills in the pediatric population. Implications for Rehabilitation This is the first study to look at the use of iPads with school-aged children with poor visual-motor skills. There is limited literature related to the use of iPads in pediatric occupational therapy, while they are increasingly being used in practice. When compared to the traditional occupational therapy interventions, participants in the iPad intervention appeared to be more interested, engaged and motivated to participate in the therapy sessions. Using iPad apps as an adjunct to therapy in intervention could be effective in improving VMI skills over time.
authors.affiliation: a School of Physical and Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University , Montreal , Quebec , Canada.
authors.forename: Franzina
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Coutinho
authors.affiliation: a School of Physical and Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University , Montreal , Quebec , Canada.
authors.forename: Marie-Elaine
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Bosisio
authors.affiliation: a School of Physical and Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University , Montreal , Quebec , Canada.
authors.forename: Emma
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.affiliation: a School of Physical and Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University , Montreal , Quebec , Canada.
authors.forename: Stephanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rishikof
authors.affiliation: a School of Physical and Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University , Montreal , Quebec , Canada.
authors.forename: Elise
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Skaf
authors.affiliation: a School of Physical and Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University , Montreal , Quebec , Canada.
authors.forename: Xiaoting
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: a School of Physical and Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University , Montreal , Quebec , Canada.
authors.forename: Cynthia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Perlman
authors.affiliation: b Centre de Réadaptation MAB-Mackay , Occupational Therapy, Montreal , Quebec , Canada.
authors.forename: Shannon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kelly
authors.affiliation: b Centre de Réadaptation MAB-Mackay , Occupational Therapy, Montreal , Quebec , Canada.
authors.forename: Erin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Freedin
authors.affiliation: c Shriners Hopitals for Children - Canada, and School of Physical and Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University , Montreal , Quebec , Canada.
authors.forename: Noemi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Dahan-Oliel
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D034201:Computers, Handheld; D019988:Children with Disabilities / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D063731:Mobile Applications; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000502:physiology; D009788:Occupational Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D014796:Visual Perception / Q000502:physiology
keywords: iPad; occupational therapy; pediatrics; technology; visual-motor; visual-motor integration