Usage time of touch screens in relation to visual-motor integration and the quality of life in preschool children

Abstract

Objectives: This study aims to examine the usage of touch screen time in relation to the visual-motor integration and the quality-of-life in preschool children. Additionally, we compare the difference between children who practiced sports and attended nursery with those who did not attend such activities. Methods: This study includes a convenience sample of 100 preschool children aged between three and five years. The Peabody Developmental Motor Scale is used to assess visual-motor integration and the Arabic version of the Paediatric Quality of Life Inventory generic scale to assess the quality of life (QoL). Results: The Pearson correlation coefficient equation reveals a negative significant correlation (p = 0.0001) between touch screen usage time and visual-motor integration (r = 0.37), physical (r = 0.38), psychosocial (r = 0.55) and the QoL total score (r = 0.48). Children who practiced sports showed lower visual-motor integration and higher QoL scores than those who did not. Children who attended nursery showed higher visualmotor integration and lower QoL scores than those who were not given the chance to attend these activities. Conclusion: Based on the results of the current study, it can be concluded that increased touch screen usage time was found to adversely affect visual-motor integration and the QoL in preschool children. Practicing sports and attending nursery influence the visual-motor integration and the QoL.