The design and efficacy of a robot mediated visual motor program in occupational therapy

This study investigated the effects of a robot mediated visual motor program on improving visual motor function of children ages 5 to 11years with learning disabilities and visual motor delays. It also compared the effects of a robotic program with traditional occupational therapy and tested the reliability of the computer generated scores. The study used a randomized experimental design; with 25 students assigned to either a robotic program group or traditional occupational therapy. The Developmental Test of Visual Motor Integration (VMI) was used before and after intervention. Non parametric statistics evaluated the effects of intervention and compared the two methods. The reliability of the computer based scoring method was tested by correlating it with VMI scores. Results and conclusions indicated that the children who received the robotic program demonstrated significant gains in visual motor performance. The correlation between the computer based scoring and the VMI were moderate however not significant.