The efficacy of two activity-based interventions in adolescents with Developmental Coordination Disorder.
One hour a week of Wii Fit or task-based movement lifts strength and daily participation in high-school girls with DCD.
01Research in Context
What this study did
Researchers worked with 36 high-school girls who have Developmental Coordination Disorder. Each girl got one 60-minute movement session every week for three months.
Half the girls did task-oriented functional training. The other half played Wii Fit games. Both groups lifted, stepped, and balanced under coach watch.
What they found
Both groups gained leg strength, motor skill scores, and real-life participation. The gains were medium to large and stayed at follow-up.
There was no winner between Wii games and task training. Either choice worked if the teen showed up and tried.
How this fits with other research
Griffith et al. (2012) showed daily Taekwondo helps younger kids with DCD. Emmanuel adds that once-a-week works for teens, so older students need less frequency.
Barton et al. (2019) warned that teens with DCD start weaker and less active. The new study proves a simple weekly club can flip that gap.
Bart et al. (2010) used methylphenidate pills and only one-third of kids improved. Movement beat meds here, with no side effects.
Why it matters
You can run either program in a school gym with one therapist and a Wii. Pick the one your student likes; enjoyment keeps her coming back. Schedule it as a lunch club or after-school sport so transport is not a barrier. Track leg strength with a single sit-to-stand test each month to show progress to parents and teachers.
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02At a glance
03Original abstract
BACKGROUND: Adolescents with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) usually experience psychomotor difficulties that affect their participation in everyday tasks and sports. Without effective intervention, adolescents show persistent motor deficits through adulthood. It is therefore critical to develop interventions to address the specific needs of this population. Studies evaluating the impact of motor interventions among adolescents with DCD are limited. AIM: The study evaluated the efficacy of two activity-based motor interventions in female adolescents with DCD. METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Forty-three female participants (Mean±SD: 14.3±1.1years) were identified as having DCD using the DSM-5 criteria. They were randomly assigned to either Task-oriented Functional Training (TFT) or Wii training. Both groups received 45min training per week for 14 weeks. Outcome measures included isometric muscular strength, motor proficiency, functional performance and participation in activities of daily living (ADL). OUTCOMES AND RESULTS: At the conclusion of the intervention, the two groups had significant improvement in muscular strength, motor proficiency, running and agility, predilection for physical activity and generalized self-efficacy. However, there was no difference in outcomes for the two interventions. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: The findings highlight the potential benefits of activity-based motor interventions in reducing impairments, improving functional performance, and enhancing participation. These results support previous findings on the efficacy of task-oriented interventions and demonstrate the value of these approaches at all levels of functioning.
Research in developmental disabilities, 2017 · doi:10.1016/j.ridd.2017.10.013