Neuroimaging and Occupational Therapy: Bridging the Gap to Advance Rehabilitation in Developmental Coordination Disorder

J Mot Behav. 2017 Jan-Feb;49(1):98-110. doi: 10.1080/00222895.2016.1271295. Epub 2017 Feb 6.

Abstract

Developmental coordination disorder (DCD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by poor motor skills that interfere with a child's ability to perform everyday activities. Little is known about the neural mechanisms that implicate DCD, making it difficult to understand why children with DCD struggle to learn motor skills and selecting the best intervention to optimize function. Neuroimaging studies that utilize magnetic resonance imaging techniques have the capacity to play a critical role in helping to guide clinicians to optimize functional outcomes of children with DCD using evidence-based rehabilitation interventions. The authors' goal is to describe how neuroimaging research can be applied to occupational therapy and rehabilitation sciences by highlighting projects that are at the forefront of the field and elucidate future directions.

Keywords: developmental coordination disorder; magnetic resonance imaging; occupational therapy; rehabilitation.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Autism Spectrum Disorder / diagnostic imaging
  • Cerebral Palsy / diagnostic imaging
  • Comorbidity
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Motor Skills Disorders / diagnostic imaging
  • Motor Skills Disorders / rehabilitation*
  • Neuroimaging*
  • Occupational Therapy / methods*
  • Risk Factors