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Internal Versus External Attentional Focus in Gross- and Fine-Motor Learning Among Children With Autism Requiring Ongoing Everyday Support
Sponsor: University of Haifa
Summary
This study examined how different attentional focus instructions affect motor learning in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Children were randomly assigned to practice motor tasks using either external focus instructions, which directed attention toward the goal or outcome of the movement, or internal focus instructions, which directed attention toward body movements. Participants practiced both a gross motor task (basketball shooting) and a fine motor task (digital maze tracing) over three training sessions. Motor performance, retention, and transfer were assessed before and after training and at follow-up, and their relationships with sensory and cognitive characteristics were also explored.
Official title: Internal Versus External Attentional Focus in Gross- and Fine-Motor Learning Among Children With Autism Requiring Ongoing Everyday Support: An Exploratory Randomized Study
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
7 Years - 14 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
10
Start Date
2023-09-21
Completion Date
2025-08-11
Last Updated
2026-10-01
Healthy Volunteers
No
Conditions
Interventions
External Focus of Attention Instructions
Participants practiced a gross motor task (basketball shooting) and a fine motor task (digital maze tracing) during three training sessions. Each session included three blocks of 10 trials for each task. External focus instructions directed the participant's attention toward the goal or outcome of the movement. For basketball shooting, participants were instructed to focus on the basket. For digital maze tracing, participants were instructed to focus on the target of the task rather than on their body movements.
Internal Focus of Attention Instructions
Participants practiced a gross motor task (basketball shooting) and a fine motor task (digital maze tracing) during three training sessions. Each session included three blocks of 10 trials for each task. Internal focus instructions directed the participant's attention toward their own body movements. For basketball shooting, instructions focused on the position and movement of the arms and hands. For digital maze tracing, participants were instructed to focus on the movements of their hand and fingers.
Locations (1)
Ma'ayan School
Afula, Northern District, Israel