Effect of Developmental Stimulation on the Fine Motor Development Age of Toddlers with Celiac Disease

Abstract

Background: Toddlers with celiac disease are at risk of developmental delay due to frequent hospitalization and food deprivation. But an appropriate program to improve development of these children does not exist. Aim: Determination of the effect of a developmental stimulation program on development of toddlers’ fine motor skills. Methods: This clinical trial conducted on 50 eligible 1-3 year-olds, who were randomly divided into intervention and control groups (n=25 each). The intervention group received development stimulation based on developmental age, and the toddlers’ position on the map was designed based on West Virginia guideline. The intervention group received three sessions of stimulation each week for two hours (20 minutes direct and 90 minutes indirect stimulation). Bayley Scale of Infant and Toddler Development was completed immediately after the intervention. The gathered data were analyzed performing independent t-test, Mann-Whitney and repeated measures ANOVA tests, using SPSS. Results: The mean age of the intervention and control groups were 20.4±4.6 and 20.9±4.2 months (P=0.69). Before the intervention, the mean age of fine motor development in the intervention and control groups were 18.2±5.7 and 19.7±6.1, respectively (P=0.433). Two months after the intervention, the mean age of fine motor development in the intervention group (24.6±5.7) was significantly higher than the control group (20.8±6) (P<0.041). Conclusion: Developmental stimulation program can promote fine motor skills of toddlers at risk of developmental delay with celiac disease.