Your Therapy Source Magazine for Pediatric Therapists April 2016 | Page 11

Evaluating In A Group Setting Changes
Gross Motor Performance

Pediatric Physical and Occupational Therapy in Pediatrics published research comparing
differences in gross motor performance of 20 children ages 3-5 with motor delays when
assessed individually versus assessment in a group setting among 42 peers with typical
development (TD). Each child with motor delays was tested 4-8 days apart in an individual
setting and in a group setting with two to four peers with typical development. The
assessment consisted of 10 different motor skills from the Peabody Developmental Motor
Scales-2. Performance of each item was videotaped and scored by a blinded researcher. The
results indicated the following:
gross motor performance was significantly different between the two settings, with 14 of 20
children demonstrating better performance in the group setting.
children performed better on locomotion items.
The researchers concluded that the higher scores in the group setting may be due to the
influence of competition, motivation, or modeling and recommended evaluating a child in a
group setting as part of the overall assessment.
Reference: Deanne Fay, Tawna Wilkinson, Michelle Wagoner, Danna Brooks, Lauren Quinn
& Andrea Turnell. Effect of Group Setting on Gross Motor Performance in Children 3–5 Years
Old with Motor Delays. Pediatric Physical and Occupational Therapy in Pediatrics. Published
online February 26, 2016. DOI:10.3109/01942638.2015.1129387
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