Research

The Assessment of Perceptual Therapy Study (APTS)

(published through OhioLINK ETD)

We conducted a pilot study to determine if using the Perceptual Therapy System II: PTS II iNet (PTS II), a computerized visual perception therapy program, would improve performance on standardized tests of visual perception and decrease the frequency of any reported problem behaviors. 

Methods

We recruited children ages 6 to 13 with below age-level performance on a standardized test of visual perception (the Beery-Buktenica Developmental Test of Visual Motor Integration, 5^th Edition [VMI], the Beery VMI supplemental test of Visual Perception [VP], and the Test of Visual Perceptual Skills, 3rd Edition [TVPS-3]). Children who scored 80 or below on the Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test, 2^nd edition (KBIT-2) were excluded. All patients were given the PTS II software and prescribed 16 weeks of home therapy. Baseline and outcome testing were performed and included the VMI, the VP, the TVPS-3, and the Conners’ Parental Rating Scales-Revised (S) (Conners’). Mann-Whitney analysis was used to compare scores at baseline to those at outcome. A multiple linear regression controlling for age, compliance and baseline score was used to evaluate whether there was a relation between change in test score and compliance.

Results

Twenty children enrolled and sixteen children (mean age = 9.6 years) completed the study. The frequency of problem behaviors as reported by the Conners’ decreased significantly from baseline to outcome testing: Oppositional (p=0.04); Cognitive Problems/Inattention (p = 0.001); and ADHD Index (p = 0.002). No significant changes in visual perceptual skill were found with the TVPS-3, VMI or VP. No statistically significant relation was found between compliance and change in behavioral or perceptual scores although there was a trend toward significance for the TVPS-3 Sequential Memory subtest scores (p = 0.06).

Conclusion

The use of the PTS II resulted in improved behavior as reported by parents on the Conners’. Further research with a larger sample size and a control group is needed.