Authors :
Benielraja Gnanadurai R.V.; Shrinidhi G.
Volume/Issue :
Volume 11 - 2026, Issue 8 - August
Google Scholar :
https://tinyurl.com/257b4zj7
DOI :
https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/26aug1146
Note : A published paper may take 4-5
working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and
ResearchGate.
Abstract :
Background:
Autism Spectrum Disorder is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent deficits in social
communication and social interaction across multiple contexts, together with restricted, repetitive patterns of behaviour,
interests, or activities. Poor Grip strength and Pinch strength in children with Autism spectrum disorder hinders to perform
their everyday activities and school related activities like writing. These challenges affect their academic performance and
other ADL activities which in turn affect their quality of life. Recent studies suggest that Task-oriented training can
effectively improve Grip strength and Pinch strength.
Aim:
The study aimed to determine the effects of Task- oriented approach to improve Grip strength and Pinch strength in
children with Autism spectrum disorder.
Method:
The study is a Quasi-experimental (Two group pretest-posttest) design, randomized controlled trial was adopted for
the study. The participants of the study were screened using ISAA scale to include mild and moderate Autism. Total of 30
participants included in the study who fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria.
The children’s grip strength and pinch strength were assessed using Dynamometer and Pinch gauge respectively. Later
the sample population is divided into Experimental group (B) and Control group (A). The purpose and procedure of the
study was priorly explained to the parents of the participants. Then 8 weeks of intervention given with 3 sessions per week
and each session of 15-20 minutes. Then using Dynamometer and Pinch gauge reassessment was done for all 30 participants.
The collected data were statistically analyzed by comparing the pre-test and post-test scores to determine the effects of
Task-oriented training to improve grip strength and pinch strength among children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Results:
The data analysis was carried out using paired sample t-test. Based on the analysis, (right: p = 0.521; left: p = 0.412)
there is no significant improvement in the post test scores of Grip strength and pinch strength as there is no significant
difference between control and experimental group.
Conclusion:
The study concluded that there is no significant improvement in Grip strength and Pinch strength after providing Task
oriented approach in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder as there is no significant difference between control and
experimental groups.
Keywords :
Autism Spectrum Disorder, Grip Strength, Pinch Strength, Task Oriented Approach.
References :
- Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders: DSM-5. 5th ed. Washington: American psychiatric association; 2013.
- Chauhan Anil. Prevalence of autism spectrum disorder in Indian children: A systematic review and meta‑analysis. Wolters Kluwer - Medknow. (2019).
- Kern jk. handgrip strength in autism spectrum disorder compared with controls. 27(2013).
- Antonio Y. Hardan. Motor Performance and Anatomic Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the Basal Ganglia in Autism. J Child Neurol. 18(5).
- S. Domínguez‑Lucio. Occupational Therapy Interventions Using New Technologies in Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Scoping Review. J Autism Dev Disord.
- shetty M. Grip and pinch strength: Reference values for children and adolescents from India. J Pediatr Rehabil Med.
- Olfat Ibrahim Ali. Assessment of Hand Grip and Pinch Strengths in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Cross-Sectional Study. Child 2025. 12.
- Elserty N. Influence of shoulder stabilization exercises on hand grip strength in children with Down syndrome: randomized clinical trial.
- Ryan Lum A. A Retrospective Study of the Correlation Between Hand Grip Strength and Functional Outcomes for Clients with Shoulder Pain. 2(1).
- Tveter AT. Short-Term Effects of Occupational Therapy on Hand Function and Pain in Patients With Carpometacarpal Osteoarthritis: Secondary Analyses From a Randomized Controlled Trial. Wiley Period LLC. 74.
- Mathews S. Effect of Task‑Oriented Training on Hand Dexterity, Grip Strength, and Function among Institutionalized Geriatric Population. Wolters Kluwer - Medknow118. 18(3).
- Halford Erin. What is Task-Oriented Training? A Scoping Review What is Task-Oriented Training? A Scoping Review Erin. Stud J Occup Ther. 4(1).
- Yoo C. Impact of task-oriented training on hand function and activities of daily living after stroke. Soc Phys Ther Sci. 27(8).
- Eliza Hogarth. Grip strength, functional range and anthropometric dimensions, and indication on fulfilling occupations in the home and workplace: Across- sectionalstudy. Br J Occup Ther. 85(10).
- Virgil Mathiowetz. Grip and pinch strength: Normative data for Adults. Arch Phys Rehabil. 66.
- Takashi Abe. Handgrip strength of young athletes differs based on the type of sport played and age. Am J Hum Biol. 36(5).
- Young Kang S. Relationship between low handgrip strength and quality of life in Korean men and women. Qual Life Res.
- Ahmed M. Azzam. Effect of Hand Function Training on Improvement of Hand Grip Strength in Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy in Children. J Nov Physiother. 2(6).
- Sajjad Rostamzadeh. Analysis of hand-forearm anthropometric components in assessing handgrip and pinch strengths of school-aged children and adolescents: a partial least squares (PLS) approach. Rostamzadeh Al BMC Pediatr.
- Miyahara M. Task-oriented interventions for children with developmental coordination disorder (Review). John Wiley Sons Ltd. (7).
- Ajaya K. Sah. Effects of Task-oriented Activities Based on Neurodevelopmental Therapy Principles on Trunk Control, Balance, and Gross Motor Function in Children with Spastic Diplegic Cerebral Palsy: A Single-blinded Randomized Clinical Trial. J Pediatr Neurosci. 14(3).
- Brittany G. Travers. Longitudinal Development of Manual Motor Ability in Autism Spectrum Disorder from Childhood to Mid-Adulthood Relates to Adaptive Daily Living Skills. Dev Sci.
- Numan BULUT. The association of hand grip strength with functional measures in non- ambulatory children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
- Li Y. Effect of task-oriented training assisted by force feedback hand rehabilitation robot on finger grasping function in stroke patients with hemiplegia: a randomised controlled trial. J NeuroEngineering Rehabil.
- Tânia Silva-Santos. Hand Grip Force–Time Curve Indicators Evaluated by Dynamometer: A Systematic Review. Nutr 2024.
- Brittany G. Travers. Brainstem White Matter Predicts Individual Differences in Manual Motor Difficulties and Symptom Severity in Autism. J Autism Dev Disord.
- Carolee J. Winstein. Effect of a Task-Oriented Rehabilitation Program on Upper Extremity Recovery Following Motor Stroke. JAMA.
Background:
Autism Spectrum Disorder is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent deficits in social
communication and social interaction across multiple contexts, together with restricted, repetitive patterns of behaviour,
interests, or activities. Poor Grip strength and Pinch strength in children with Autism spectrum disorder hinders to perform
their everyday activities and school related activities like writing. These challenges affect their academic performance and
other ADL activities which in turn affect their quality of life. Recent studies suggest that Task-oriented training can
effectively improve Grip strength and Pinch strength.
Aim:
The study aimed to determine the effects of Task- oriented approach to improve Grip strength and Pinch strength in
children with Autism spectrum disorder.
Method:
The study is a Quasi-experimental (Two group pretest-posttest) design, randomized controlled trial was adopted for
the study. The participants of the study were screened using ISAA scale to include mild and moderate Autism. Total of 30
participants included in the study who fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria.
The children’s grip strength and pinch strength were assessed using Dynamometer and Pinch gauge respectively. Later
the sample population is divided into Experimental group (B) and Control group (A). The purpose and procedure of the
study was priorly explained to the parents of the participants. Then 8 weeks of intervention given with 3 sessions per week
and each session of 15-20 minutes. Then using Dynamometer and Pinch gauge reassessment was done for all 30 participants.
The collected data were statistically analyzed by comparing the pre-test and post-test scores to determine the effects of
Task-oriented training to improve grip strength and pinch strength among children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Results:
The data analysis was carried out using paired sample t-test. Based on the analysis, (right: p = 0.521; left: p = 0.412)
there is no significant improvement in the post test scores of Grip strength and pinch strength as there is no significant
difference between control and experimental group.
Conclusion:
The study concluded that there is no significant improvement in Grip strength and Pinch strength after providing Task
oriented approach in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder as there is no significant difference between control and
experimental groups.
Keywords :
Autism Spectrum Disorder, Grip Strength, Pinch Strength, Task Oriented Approach.