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Neuromotor task training for children with developmental coordination disorder: a controlled trial
A S Niemeijer1, B C M Smits-Engelsman, M M Schoemaker
1Center for Human Movement Sciences, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, The Netherlands. A.Niemeijer@ppsw.rug.nl
Insights
Neuromotor task training (NTT) effectively improves motor skills in children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD). This child-centred therapy demonstrated significant gains on motor assessments compared to no intervention, particularly for older children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric physiotherapy
- Neurorehabilitation
- Child development
Background:
- Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) affects children's motor skills.
- A child-centred, task-oriented approach, Neuromotor Task Training (NTT), has been developed.
- Evaluating NTT's efficacy is crucial for evidence-based practice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the effectiveness of Neuromotor Task Training (NTT) for children with DCD.
- To compare motor performance changes in children receiving NTT versus a control group.
- To identify factors influencing NTT treatment success.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial design was employed.
- Participants were children with DCD scoring below the 15th percentile on the Movement Assessment Battery for Children (MABC).
- The intervention group received 9 weekly 30-minute NTT sessions, while the control group received no intervention. Motor skills were assessed using MABC and Test of Gross Motor Development - 2 (TGMD-2) pre- and post-intervention.
Main Results:
- Children receiving NTT showed significant improvements in MABC and TGMD-2 scores.
- Motor performance did not improve spontaneously in the control group.
- Children demonstrated greater improvement on tasks similar to those trained during NTT.
- Older children with poorer initial motor patterns experienced higher treatment success.
Conclusions:
- Neuromotor Task Training (NTT) is an effective intervention for improving motor skills in children with DCD.
- NTT leads to measurable improvements in gross and fine motor abilities.
- Treatment gains are task-specific, and NTT shows particular promise for older children with more significant motor challenges.
Abstract:
The aim of this study was to evaluate neuromotor task training (NTT), a recently developed child-centred and task-oriented treatment programme for children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD). A treatment and a non-treatment control group of children with DCD were included. Children were selected if they scored below the 15th centile on the Movement Assessment Battery for Children (MABC). The children in the treatment group were recently referred for physiotherapy (n=26; 20 males, 6 females; mean age 7y 2mo [SD 1y 3mo]). The parents of the non-treated children were concerned about their children's motor performance and responded to advertisements for free testing (n=13; 10 males, 3 females; mean age 7y 2mo [SD 2y 1mo]). Before and after nine weekly 30-minute sessions of NTT or at least 9 weeks of no intervention, the MABC and the Test of Gross Motor Development - 2 (TGMD-2) were administered. Therapists reported per session on treatment goals and tasks trained. The results indicate that motor performance does not improve spontaneously and that NTT is effective. During the intervention period, only the treated group improved on the MABC and the TGMD-2. Children improved most on tasks similar to those trained. In older children with poorer motor patterns, NTT's treatment success was higher. The Child Behavior Checklist subscales withdrawn, thought problems, anxious/depressed, and delinquency were determinants of effects on motor patterns.
