The Effectiveness of a Group Motor Skill Intervention Program in Children with Developmental Coordination Disorder: Program Frequency Matters.

Authors

Priscila M. Caçola, University of Texas at ArlingtonFollow
Melvin Ibana, University of Texas at Arlington
Michael Romero, University of Texas at Arlington
Jennifer Chuang, University of Texas at Arlington

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of two group programs on visual-motor integration, motor proficiency, gross-motor skills, and parental perception of motor difficulties in children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD). We compared whether the frequency of two programs (10 one hour sessions - once/week for 10 weeks verses 24 one hour sessions – twice/week for 12 weeks) produced different changes in motor skills. Methods: Children in the two programs were assessed before and after each program with the MABC-2, DCD-Q, BOT-2, Beery-VMI-6, and the TGMD-2 assessments. The emphasis of the programs was on group activities that required collaboration while performing skills that utilized upper-body coordination, balance, and fine-motor abilities. Results: After the 24-session intervention program, results revealed significant improvements in the Manual Coordination and Total Score of the BOT-2 (ps < .05), and parents reported significantly higher scores for all categories of the DCD-Q (ps < .05). No significant changes were observed after the 10-session once/week intervention program. Conclusions: We conclude that a (24 one-hour sessions- twice a week for 12 weeks) group intervention program can be an effective intervention method for improvement of motor skills in children with DCD. We recommend that allied health professionals consider the group intervention as a feasible way to promote more frequent sessions to children with DCD.

Author Bio(s)

• Priscila M. Caçola, PhD, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Kinesiology and Director of the Developmental Motor Cognition Lab at the University of Texas at Arlington.
• Melvin Ibana has been at UTA since 2008. This is his last semester as an exercise science major. He has been a volunteer in the Developmental Motor and Cognition Lab since the beginning of 2012 and is now doing an internship with Little Mavs Movement Academy.
• Michael Romero is an undergraduate kinesiology major from El Paso, Texas. Following his mother's footsteps, Michael will pursue a master's in speech language pathology. He also hopes to follow his father's steps one day, by coaching track and field on the side.
• Jennifer Chuang is a post baccalaureate student with a degree in Business Management and professional experience in logistics. She is currently majoring in Biology and aspires to be a Pediatric Physical Therapist. Her other interests involve fitness, nutrition and travel. As a member of Team in Training she is raising money for Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and training for a marathon.

DOI

10.46743/1540-580X/2016.1567

Recommended Citation

Caçola PM, Ibana M, Romero M, Chuang J. The Effectiveness of a Group Motor Skill Intervention Program in Children with Developmental Coordination Disorder: Program Frequency Matters.. The Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice. 2016 Jan 01;14(1), Article 4.