The Effects of perceptual – motor training in combination with feedback on the reaction time and motor coordination of children with developmental coordination disorder

Motor skill learning is one of the main problems in children with Developmental Coordination Disorder(DCD). The present study aimed at examining the effect of perceptual – motor training in combination with feedback on the reaction time and motor coordination of children with developmental coordination disorder.

In this quasi-experimental study, 30 children with DCD were selected and randomly divided into three groups of self-controlled,examiner control and control. On the pre-test, reaction time and motor coordination was evaluated using the total body reaction time and Lincoln Oseretsky test, respectively.Afterward, the experimental group performed the practice protocol for 24 sessions and 60 minutes each session. The post-test was conducted like the pre-test. Data were analyzed with Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, Levene’s test,Box’s test, ANCOVA, and the Tuky post-hoc test.

Results of ANCOVA showed significant changes in the reaction time and motor coordination variable both in practice (Respectively P=0.004, P= 0.000) and in group (Respectively P=0.001, P= 0.003). The post hoc test indicated a significant difference between the control group and the self-control and examiner-control groups  in both components of reaction time and motor coordination.
Moreover, the self-control and examiner-control groups were significantly different in static and dynamic balance (P≤0.05).

Therefore, the findings of this study indicate that perceptual-motor training in combination with feedback and especially self-control versus pure exercise can result in motor coordination and better reaction time for children with developmental coordination disorder.