Sensory Processing Impairments in Children with Developmental Coordination Disorder

Abstract

The two objectives of this systematic review were to examine the following: (1) the difference in sensory processing areas (auditory, visual, vestibular, touch, proprioceptive, and multi-sensory) between children with and without developmental coordination disorder (DCD), and (2) the relationship between sensory processing and motor coordination in DCD. The following databases were comprehensively searched for relevant articles: PubMed, Science Direct, Web of Science, and Cochrane library. There were 1107 articles (published year = 2010 to 2021) found in the initial search. Full-text articles of all possibly relevant citations were obtained and inspected for suitability by two authors. The outcome measures were sensory processing impairments and their relationship with motor coordination. A total of 10 articles met the inclusion criteria. Children with DCD showed significant impairments in visual integration, tactile integration, proprioceptive integration, auditory integration, vestibular integration, and oral integration processes when compared with typically developing children. Evidence also supported that sensory processing impairments were associated with poor motor coordination in DCD. Preliminary support indicated that DCD have sensory processing impairments in visual, tactile, proprioceptive, auditory, and vestibular areas, which might contribute to participation restriction in motor activities. It is important to apply sensory integration therapy in rehabilitation programs for DCD in order to facilitate participation in daily activities.

Keywords: developmental coordination disorder; motor coordination; sensorimotor; sensory integration; sensory processing.

Figure 1

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Figure 2

Summary diagram of the sensory deficit in children with developmental coordination disorder; (1), (3)–(10): indicated the study in Table 2 show information given in the diagram. Dunn’s Model of Sensory Processing [30].

Figure 3

Summary diagram of the correlation between sensory processing and motor coordination in children with DCD. * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01, *** p < 0.001; OR: double off in the right; DL: double left; DR: double right; SL: single in left in the sequential coupling of eye and hand. In this test, a yellow indication and three feasible target circles with the identical diameter of 10 mm were demonstrated on the screen at the left and right side of the midline individually, and the yellow indication was at the far left and far right locations. Three circumstances with two sides (left or right) were considered: single (one target), double (two targets), and double-off (two targets appeared, then disappeared) (abbreviated as SL, SR, DL, DR, OL, and OR, sequentially). (1); (4); (8): indicated the study in Table 3 showed information given in the diagram.