A systematic review of mirror neuron system function in developmental coordination disorder: Imitation, motor imagery, and neuroimaging evidence.
Kids with DCD show weak mirror neuron signs, but plain motor and exercise programs already give large gains while brain-based therapies catch up.
01Research in Context
What this study did
Austin et al. (2015) looked at 31 papers on mirror neuron system (MNS) problems in kids with developmental coordination disorder (DCD). They pulled studies that used imitation tasks, motor imagery tests, or brain scans. The goal was to see if weak MNS activity lines up with the clumsy, slow motor skills seen in DCD.
What they found
Across the studies, children with DCD were worse at copying others and at imagining moves. Brain scans also showed less MNS spark. The authors say the idea is exciting but still shaky because most studies were small or used different methods.
How this fits with other research
Smits-Engelsman et al. (2018) and Peng et al. (2026) add hope. Both groups ran big meta-analyses and found large gains after plain motor or exercise training. Their strong numbers seem to clash with E et al.'s call for more MNS work. The gap is simple: the 2015 review asked 'which brain circuit is off?' while the later reviews asked 'do active interventions help?' The answers fit together—MNS deficits may explain why kids struggle, but regular practice still works while we wait for brain-targeted games.
Schertz et al. (2016) closed the loop. One year after the MNS review they tested a short computerized motor-imagery program. Kids with DCD improved just as much as peers who got standard therapy, proving MNS-based drills can be useful, not just interesting.
Why it matters
You now have a two-step plan. First, screen with quick imitation or hand-rotation tasks to flag MNS trouble. Second, pick evidence-based motor or exercise programs today while fancier mirror-neuron games are still in the lab. Track progress the usual way—if the child moves better, the why can wait.
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02At a glance
03Original abstract
PURPOSE: The aim of this systematic review was to investigate the evidence of abnormal functioning of the mirror neuron system (MNS) in children and adults with developmental coordination disorder (DCD), through examination of imitation, motor imagery, and neuroimaging literature. METHODS: The following databases were comprehensively searched for relevant articles: CINAHL Plus, Embase, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Pubmed, and Web of Science. Full-text articles of all potentially relevant citations were obtained and assessed for eligibility by two authors. Outcome measures of interest at a motor behaviour level were any measures of imitation or motor imagery proficiency and, at a neurological level, were any measures of neural activity in MNS brain regions. Due to differences in outcome measures between studies and the variables reported, a narrative review was undertaken to synthesise findings from the studies. RESULTS: Overall, 31 articles met the inclusion criteria. Children and adults with DCD display deficits imitating meaningful and novel gestures and demonstrate different response patterns to controls when undertaking complex motor imagery tasks. Children with DCD present reduced activation and connectivity of frontal, parietal, and temporal MNS regions. CONCLUSIONS: Preliminary evidence indicates some deficit in the functioning of the MNS at a motor behaviour and neurological level. As no published neuroimaging studies have been designed specifically to explore MNS function, these results must be interpreted with caution. Further research to explore the MNS hypothesis in greater detail, particularly from a neuroimaging perspective, has the potential to provide information on the underlying mechanisms of DCD, inform future research into the aetiology of this disorder, and inform intervention approaches.
Research in developmental disabilities, 2015 · doi:10.1016/j.ridd.2015.09.015