Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
TURKISH JOURNAL OF PHYSIOTHERAPY REHABILITATION-FIZYOTERAPI REHABILITASYON, cilt.20, sa.2, ss.76-82, 2009 (ESCI)
Purpose: Our study was planned to compare hand functions of congenitally visually impaired children with sighted peers and to determine which hand function tests are suitable for visually impaired children. Material and methods: The study group included 30 visually impaired children and control group included 30 normal sighted children totally 60 children whose ages were between 7-14 years. Hand functions of children were evaluated with 9 Hole Peg Test and Jebsen Hand Function Test. To evaluate upper extremities speed and dexterity, The Bruininks-Oseretsky Motor Proficiency Test's subtest for upper extremities speed and dexterity test was used. Results: According to the hand function test scores, statistically significant results were found in favor of children with normal vision (p<0.05). When the association between hand function tests and upper extremities speed and dexterity tests were taken into account; in visually impaired children statistically significant correlations were found between all parameters of the 9 hole peg test and Bruininks-Oseretsky Motor Proficiency Test's; and between all the parameters of Jebsen Hand Function Test's except writing subtest and Bruininks-Oseretsky Motor Proficiency Test's (p<0.05). Conclusion: In our study, visually impaired children used their tactile function as they had lost their visual function congenitally and had no visual perception. Therefore, association between hand function tests and upper extremity tests were found. Visually impaired children can be educated in their academic life with sighted peers by means of planning physical therapy and occupational therapy programs.