What technique focuses on the integration of sensory input for improved motor planning?

The correct choice focuses on sensory integration, which is a therapeutic approach designed to help individuals process and respond to sensory information more effectively. This technique is particularly significant in rehabilitation settings, as it supports the development of motor planning skills by integrating various sensory inputs—such as visual, auditory, and tactile information. Through sensory integration therapy, practitioners guide patients to interpret and respond to sensory stimuli in a way that enhances their ability to perform coordinated movements and tasks.

By emphasizing the relationship between sensory input and motor function, sensory integration techniques can facilitate improved coordination, balance, and overall motor planning abilities. This approach is particularly beneficial for individuals with developmental disorders, injuries, or neurological conditions that affect their ability to process sensory information.

Other options like short wave diathermy and soft tissue mobilization primarily focus on physical treatment modalities that target pain relief and tissue healing, rather than the cognitive processes associated with sensory integration. Special tests are diagnostic tools used to assess specific conditions or injuries, but they do not directly address sensory processing or motor planning. Thus, sensory integration stands out as the most relevant and effective technique in improving motor planning through enhanced sensory input.