Abstract: ObjectiveTo investigat e the improvement of fine motor functions after occupational therapy in children w ith cerebral palsy (CP) and mental retardation (MR), and also using the value of Peabody developmental motor scale-fine motor (PDMS-FM) to evaluate their fine motor functions.MethodsAll children have received occupational therapy (OT) for three months. Their fine motor functions before an d after OT were observed and evaluated using PDMS-FM by the therapist.ResultsAll children have their fine motor functions obvious ly improved after OT. Results of PDMS-FM test indicated that fine motor functio ns between CP and MR group were comparable before and after OT, the MR group hav e their fine motor functions significantly improved after OT (P<0.001 ),although the CP group also have their fine motor functions impr oved after OT, there wasn't significant difference (P>0.05).Conclusions Fine motor functions of CP and MR children could be improved after OT. PDMS-FM was suitable to evaluate fine mot or function changes, especially in children with MR.

Key words: Peabody developmental motor sca le-fine motor (PDMS-FM), cerebral palsy, mental retardation