The Efficacy of Cognitive Behavioral Play Therapy on Behavioral Problems and Gross Motor Skills in Children with Intellectual Disability

Aims: The present study aimed to investigate the efficacy of Cognitive-Behavioral Play Therapy (CBPT) on behavioral problems and gross motor skills in children with Intellectual Disability (ID). Method and Materials: This study was designed as a quasi-experimental study with a pretest, post-test, and control group design. The population consisted of ۷-۱۰-year-old educable children with ID referred to special schools in Rasht, Iran, in the academic year ۲۰۲۵-۲۰۲۶. Using a multi-stage sampling method, ۳۸ children exhibiting behavioral disorders were selected and randomly assigned to experimental (N=۱۹) and control groups (N=۱۹). An approach of CBPT was administered to the experimental group according to the protocol of Knell for ۱۲ sessions of ۶۰ minutes, and the control group received no treatment. The instruments used were the Rutter Behavioral Problems Scale (RBPS) and the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency (BOTMP), and the data obtained were analyzed by multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA). Findings: The results demonstrated that CBPT significantly decreases aggression and hyperactivity (F = ۶۳.۷۹), anxiety and depression (F = ۳۷.۳۶), social maladjustment (F = ۵۵.۳۶), antisocial behaviors (F = ۵۰.۳۱), attention deficit (F = ۶۱.۸۱), and increases gross motor skills (F = ۷۷.۷۸) in children with ID (P< ۰.۰۰۱).Conclusion: The findings suggest that CBPT is an effective intervention for reducing behavioral problems and enhancing gross motor skills in children with ID. Therefore, this therapeutic approach may be considered a practical and beneficial strategy in educational and rehabilitation settings.

کلیدواژه ها:

Cognitive-behavioral play therapy ، Intellectual Disability ، behavioral problems ، gross motor skills ، Children