Effects of a Highly Intensive Balance Therapy Camp in Children With Developmental Coordination Disorder

Fundamental Insights Into the Interplay Between Postural Control and Motor Development in Children With DCD: a Synergistic Approach of Functional Evaluations, Neuromechanics and Brain Activity

The main objective of this clinical trial is to investigate the short (immediately after intervention) and medium term (three month) effects of a highly intensive, comprehensive postural control 6-day therapy camp in school-aged children (6 to 12 years) with developmental coordination disorder at different levels of the The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) framework.

Inclusion Criteria:

• diagnosed with DCD by a pediatrician, using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) criteria: (i) motor skill acquisition and performance is at an age-inappropriate level (Criterion A), objectified with the total MABC-2 score at or below the 16th percentile or subscale score at or below the 5th percentile; (ii) the motor skills deficit significantly and persistently interferes with the activities of everyday living (Criterion B), objectified with the DCD Questionnaire 2007 (DCD-Q) ; (iii) Onset of symptoms in early childhood (Criterion C) evaluated by anamnesis with parents; (iv) The motor skills deficits are not better accounted for by any other medical (neurological, intellectual, visual, etc.), neurodevelopmental, psychological, social condition, or cultural background (criterion D), evaluated by a neuromotor examination performed by an acknowledged pediatrician.
• children who have no formal diagnosis are evaluated by the research team using the diagnostic criteria as outlined in the inclusion criteria. In this case, Criterion D is evaluated based on anamnesis and clinical examination. If criterion A, B, C are met and other intellectual, visual or neurological conditions have not been reported, they are included as having "probable" DCD.
• Due to the interventional focus on postural control, children are only included if they score below the 50th percentile for the balance subscale of the MABC-2 and below 80% on the Kids-BESTest total score.
• Due to the high comorbidity rate in children with DCD, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and dyslexia, the comorbidities are listed through thorough anamnesis and the Strengths and difficulties questionnaire (SDQ) is used.

Exclusion Criteria:

- not able to follow instructions or cooperate sufficiently due to behavioral problems