Evaluating the evidence for motor-based interventions in developmental coordination disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Bouwien Smits-Engelsman; Sabine Vinçon; Rainer Blank; Virgínia H Quadrado; Helene Polatajko; Peter H Wilson

doi:10.1016/j.ridd.2018.01.002

Evaluating the evidence for motor-based interventions in developmental coordination disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Res Dev Disabil. 2018 Mar:74:72-102. doi: 10.1016/j.ridd.2018.01.002. Epub 2018 Feb 3.

Authors

Bouwien Smits-Engelsman¹, Sabine Vinçon², Rainer Blank³, Virgínia H Quadrado⁴, Helene Polatajko⁵, Peter H Wilson⁶

Affiliations

¹ Department of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa. Electronic address: bouwiensmits@hotmail.com.
² Clinic for Child Neurology and Social Pediatrics, Child Centre Maulbronn, Maulbronn, Germany.
³ Clinic for Child Neurology and Social Pediatrics, Child Centre Maulbronn, Maulbronn, Germany; University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
⁴ Department of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
⁵ Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
⁶ School of Psychology, Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, Australia.

PMID: 29413431
DOI: 10.1016/j.ridd.2018.01.002

Abstract

Background: As part of the process of creating an update of the clinical practice guidelines for developmental coordination disorder (DCD) (Blank, Smits-Engelsman, Polatajko, & Wilson, 2012), a systematic review of intervention studies, published since the last guidelines statement was conducted.

Aim: The aim of this study was to 1) systematically review the evidence published from January 2012 to February 2017 regarding the effectiveness of motor based interventions in individuals with DCD, 2) quantify treatment effects using a meta-analysis, 3) examine the available information on different aspects of delivery including use of group intervention, duration and frequency of therapy, and 4) identify gaps in the literature and make recommendations for future intervention research.

Method: An electronic search of 5 databases (PubMed, Embase, Pedro, Scopus and Cochrane) was conducted for studies that evaluated motor-based interventions to improve performance for individuals with DCD.

Results: Thirty studies covering 25 datasets were included, 19 of which provided outcomes on standardized measures of motor performance. The overall effect size (Cohen's d) across intervention studies was large (1.06), but the range was wide: for 11 interventions, the observed effect was large (>0.80), in eight studies moderate (>0.50), and in five it was small or negligible (<0.50). Positive benefits were evident for activity-oriented approaches, body function-oriented combined with activities, active video games, and small group programs.

Conclusion: Results showed that activity-oriented and body function oriented interventions can have a positive effect on motor function and skills. However, given the varied methodological quality and the large confidence intervals of some studies, the results should be interpreted with caution.

Keywords: Developmental coordination disorder; Intervention; Motor impairment; Motor skill disorders; Motor skill programmes; Occupational therapy; Physical activity; Physical therapy; Systematic review; Task oriented training.

Publication types

Review
Systematic Review

MeSH terms

Child
Exercise / physiology
Exercise / psychology
Humans
Motor Skills Disorders* / physiopathology
Motor Skills Disorders* / psychology
Motor Skills Disorders* / therapy
Motor Skills*
Physical Therapy Modalities*
Psychomotor Performance
Treatment Outcome