Identifying Issues in Effective Motor Imagery Training Practice in Children With Developmental Coordination Disorder:...

Area of Science:

• Occupational Therapy
• Neuroscience
• Pediatrics

Background:

• Motor imagery training (MIT) is an emerging occupational therapy approach for children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD).
• Existing evidence suggests MIT's potential effectiveness, but intervention strategies require refinement.
• Occupational therapists need updated knowledge on motor imagery (MI) and its application in DCD.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review existing evidence on MI and MIT in children with DCD.
• To identify current knowledge gaps and challenges in MI and MIT for DCD.
• To inform future research and clinical practice.

Main Methods:

• Scoping review methodology utilizing PRISMA-ScR guidelines.
• Data collection guided by American Occupational Therapy Association standards.
• Literature search across PubMed, Scopus, Medline, and Cochrane Library for "developmental coordination disorder" and "motor imagery/training" up to March 2024.

Main Results:

• 30 articles (7 clinical, 23 fundamental) were included.
• Assessed MI ability in children with DCD.
• Examined known aspects of MI in DCD and MIT methodologies.
• Identified reduced MI ability in children with DCD compared to typically developing peers.

Conclusions:

• MIT is recommended for mitigating behavioral effects of internal modeling deficits in children with DCD.
• Current MIT methodologies for DCD are insufficient, lacking clear intervention protocols.
• Future research should focus on optimal MIT load and integration with other therapies.