Structured Task-Focused Occupational Therapy in the School Environment to Support Academic Performance: Fine Motor and Visual-Motor Skills

This randomized controlled trial will evaluate the effects of a structured, task-focused occupational therapy program delivered in the school environment on handwriting performance, fine motor skills, visual-motor integration, and academic performance in primary school children. Second- and third-grade students identified as being at risk for handwriting and manual dexterity difficulties will be randomly assigned to an intervention group or a control group. The intervention group will receive a 10-week school-based occupational therapy program consisting of two 30-minute sessions per week, for a total of 20 sessions. The control group will continue routine classroom activities without therapist-led occupational therapy. Handwriting, manual dexterity, visual-motor integration, visual perception, and motor coordination will be assessed at baseline and after the intervention. Academic grades will also be recorded, and individualized goal attainment will be evaluated in the intervention group.