EFFECT OF DANCE-BASED MOVEMENT THERAPY ON MOTOR COORDINATION IN CHILDREN WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DELAYS
Keywords:
Dance-based movement therapy, developmental delays, motor coordination, special education, therapeutic dance, gross motor skills, fine motor skills, neurodevelopmental intervention, early childhood therapy, movement-based learning.Abstract
Motor coordination plays a pivotal role in the overall physical, cognitive, and social development of children. Children with developmental delays often struggle with impaired motor control, leading to difficulties in performing basic movements, communication, and participation in group activities. This study explores the effectiveness of Dance-Based Movement Therapy (DBMT) as a holistic intervention aimed at improving motor coordination in such children. A total of 60 children aged 5 to 10 years with diagnosed developmental delays were selected from three therapy centers. The children were divided into an experimental group that received 12 weeks of DBMT and a control group that received conventional physiotherapy. The Movement Assessment Battery for Children (MABC-2) was used to measure motor coordination pre- and post-intervention. The results indicated a statistically significant improvement in the motor coordination scores of the experimental group compared to the control group. The study concludes that DBMT can be a powerful, engaging, and therapeutic tool for enhancing motor functions in children with developmental challenges.
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