Feasibility of Motor Imagery Training for Children with Developmental Coordination Disorder - A Pilot Study

Abstract

Children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) experience movement difficulties that may be linked to processes involved in motor imagery (MI). This paper discusses recent advances in theory that underpin the use of MI training for children with DCD. This knowledge is translated in a new MI training protocol which is compared with the cognitive orientation to daily occupational performance (CO-OP). Children meeting DSM-5 criteria for DCD were assigned to MI (n = 4) or CO-OP (n = 4) interventions and completed nine treatment sessions, including homework exercises. Results were positive, with two children in the MI group and three in the CO-OP group improving their m-ABC-2 score by ≥ 2 standard scores, interpreted as a clinically meaningful change. Moreover, all children and parents noticed improvements in motor skills after training. This is the first study to demonstrate the feasibility of a theoretically principled treatment protocol for MI training in children with DCD, and extends earlier work. Trial registration: The complete trial is registered at the Dutch trial register, www.trialregister.nl (NTR5471). http://www.trialregister.nl/trialreg/admin/rctview.asp?TC=5471.

Keywords: CO-OP; DCD; MI training; action observation; cognitive orientation to daily occupational performance; internal model.

FIGURE 1

Individual (pre–post) change scores on the m-ABC-2. Positive values indicate improvement.

FIGURE 2

Perceived change of motor skills after the training of both parents and children (part C Motor Coordination Questionnaire). Positive values indicate improvement.