Effects of I AM TAP Program on Executive Function of Children 3-5 years in Bangkok Metropolitan Region Residential Care Homes: A Quasi-experimental Study
Issued Date
2024-10-01
Resource Type
ISSN
19068107
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85203594847
Journal Title
Pacific Rim International Journal of Nursing Research
Volume
28
Issue
4
Start Page
707
End Page
719
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Pacific Rim International Journal of Nursing Research Vol.28 No.4 (2024) , 707-719
Suggested Citation
Pewdee K., Singhasai L., Thanasetkorn P., Daramas T. Effects of I AM TAP Program on Executive Function of Children 3-5 years in Bangkok Metropolitan Region Residential Care Homes: A Quasi-experimental Study. Pacific Rim International Journal of Nursing Research Vol.28 No.4 (2024) , 707-719. 719. doi:10.60099/prijnr.2024.269322 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/101231
Title
Effects of I AM TAP Program on Executive Function of Children 3-5 years in Bangkok Metropolitan Region Residential Care Homes: A Quasi-experimental Study
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Author's Affiliation
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Abstract
Executive function is important to the success of an individual. Children who have a history of being abused mentally and physically before entering a residential care home may have executive function deficits. They often face fear, stress, and a lack of interpersonal interaction, which affects their executive function. This quasi-experimental study aimed to increase children’s executive function through the I AM TAP Program. This program integrates sensory and physical activities, including working memory, inhibitory control, and cognitive flexibility. Two residential care homes of young children aged 3-5 years in the Bangkok Metropolitan Region were randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. Then, 36 children from each setting and 11 caregivers were selected according to the inclusion criteria. The experimental group received I AM TAP Program training twice weekly for 9 weeks, 20-30 minutes each session. The control group attended the routine activities provided in a residential care home. Executive function was assessed with the Mahidol University Executive Function-101 instrument. The data were analyzed using independent t-tests, paired t-tests, and covariance analysis. The results of this study, a testament to the effectiveness of the I AM TAP Program, revealed a significant increase in the mean scores of executive functions on 3 subscales in the experimental group. These scores not only improved from the pre-program levels but also surpassed those of the control group, as measured one week after program completion. This promising outcome suggests that the I AM TAP Program has the potential to enhance executive function in young children. Nurses can potentially apply this program to promote executive function, and caregivers can be equipped with information on how to support the children in the residential care home. However, it is crucial to conduct further testing with various groups of children in different settings before considering widespread implementation.