Correlational study between structured clinical observations and the Sensory Integration and Praxis Test

December 2005 A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Occupational Therapy. Typescript (.pdf) Project Advisor : Ferol Menks Ludwig The purpose of this study was to determine if structured observations were associated with the Sensory Integration and Praxis Tests (SIPT). Structured observations have been utilized in sensory integration for many years to assist therapists in assessing children with sensory integration dysfunction. The sample for this study consisted of 21 children ages 5-8 treated with a sensory integration frame of reference in a treatment and training center in west Los Angeles. Sensory integration dysfunction was tested using the SIPT and a set of 10 different structured observations including the supine flexion postural test, prone extension, slow motions, postrotary nystagmus, diadochokinesis, finger-to-thumb opposition, finger-to-nose, the modified Schilder\u27s arm extension test, and the heel-to-toe measure of balance. Results show a small degree of association and highlight the complementary role of both measures. Data reduction indicated that a few structured observations better described two profiles of the SIPT; the low average bilateral integration and sequencing and visuo-somatodyspraxia. Three factors best described the most common structured observations in the group of children with low average bilateral integration and sequencing disorder and included aspects of motor planning and bilateral sequencing; vestibulo-proprioceptive and cerebellar aspects of speed, acceleration, and trajectory. The forward linear regression analysis indicated that structured observations could only predict a small portion of the variability of the different measures of the SIPT