Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 14, 2026
Measurements of Motor Function and Other Clinical Outcome Parameters in Ambulant Children with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
Published on: January 12, 2019
School-based Motor Skill Interventions for Children and Adolescents with Developmental Coordination Disorder: A
Anni Pohjanvirta1, Tanja Pöyliö1, Katie Robinson2
1Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, Finland.
Objectives:
To investigate the effects of school-based interventions on motor performance in children and adolescents with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) and to explore potential moderators of effects.
Data Sources:
We conducted a search of 7 databases (PubMed, Web of Science, SCOPUS, SPORT Discipline Current Subject, Education Resources Information Center, PsycINFO, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and Google Scholar). The date was restricted from 1999 to 2025.
Study Selection:
Eligible studies included school-aged children or adolescents (5-19y) with DCD or probable DCD (pDCD), were conducted in school settings, included motor skill training, and assessed motor performance. Only studies with a DCD/pDCD nontraining control group were eligible for meta-analysis.
Data Extraction:
Methodology, participant and study characteristics, motor performance outcomes, and main results on motor performance were extracted.
Data Synthesis:
A total of 35 studies were included in the systematic review, with 18 studies (47 effect sizes) eligible for meta-analysis. We found a large effect on motor performance (Hedges g=1.06; 95% CI, 0.60-1.53). Intervention frequency and total intervention dose had a substantial moderating effect on motor performance, with training frequency of at least 3 times a week and total dose of at least 500 minutes yielding the largest effects. Both teacher- and external facilitator-led interventions were effective in improving motor performance, with teacher-led interventions showing larger effects.
Conclusions:
Our findings indicated positive effects of school-based motor skill interventions in children and adolescents with DCD/pDCD, with teacher-delivered interventions appearing more effective than those delivered by external facilitators.
Related Concept Videos
01:18Hierarchy of Motor Control
01:19Autism Spectrum Disorder
These core symptoms manifest differently among individuals, ranging from mild to severe. The disorder's complexity extends beyond its clinical presentation, encompassing a diverse range of biological, cognitive, and sociocultural influences.