Evaluation of a Web Platform Aiming to Support Parents Having a Child with Developmental Coordination Disorder: Brief Report

ABSTRACT

Objective: To explore the effects of a web platform, aiming to support parents of children 5–12 years old with suspected or diagnosed developmental coordination disorder (DCD), on parental knowledge and skills.

Method: A randomized pilot trial was undertaken (Clinical trial NCT03141333). Parents of the intervention group (n = 15) had access to a web platform (including resources, forum and virtual interactions) for three months. The control group (n = 13) only had access to resources. The primary outcome was measured pre- and post-intervention with the Parent Knowledge and Skills Questionnaire. Pre- post-questionnaires evaluated secondary outcomes (parents’ sense of competence, children’s strenghts and difficulties, and occupational performance).

Results and discussion: All outcome measures improved over time for the intervention group. However, those improvements were not clinically or statistically significant (p 0.08–0.41).

Conclusion: Web platforms supporting parents of children with DCD need further evaluation. Especially, usability of web platforms and new outcome measures should be explored.

KEYWORDS:

• Developmental coordination disorder
• online intervention
• parental support
• web platform

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Réseau provincial de recherche en adaptation-réadaptation (REPAR); Fonds de Recherche du Québec - Santé/Unité de soutien SRAP Québec; Chaire de recherche en téléréadaptation; Institut universitaire de première ligne en santé et services sociaux.