Is Wii-based motor training better than task-specific matched training for children with developmental coordination disorder? A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate in children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) the effects of Wii-training compared with task-specific matched training (TST).

Material and methods: A randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted with 32 children having DCD, aged 7–10 years. Children were randomly assigned to the Wii or task-specific training. Both interventions consisted of 16, 60-min sessions over an 8-week period. The primary outcome measure of movement skill was the Movement Assessment Battery for Children-2 (MABC-2), administered by blinded assessors. Measures included total standard scores (TSS), manual dexterity, aiming/catching, and balance component scores.

Results: From pre- to post-test, both groups improved significantly on TSS and balance after intervention. The Wii intervention group also improved on manual dexterity. Neither group improved significantly on aiming/catching.

Conclusions: Both the Wii and task-specific training improved overall motor performance and balance. On other MABC-2 component scores, treatment effects differed between groups: Task-specific training had more pronounced effects on balance skills, while Wii training had slightly stronger treatment effects than task-specific training on manual dexterity. It was concluded that task-specific training affords stronger benefits for general motor skill than Wii-based training. Whether Wii training can promote clinically significant benefits for upper-limb function remains to be seen.

Trial Registration: This study is registered in a clinical trials registry platform (Protocol: RBR-89YDGJ). Available on the Brazilian Clinical Trials Registry <http://www.ensaiosclinicos.gov.br/>

Implications for rehabilitation

• Wii-training and task-specific matched training programs afforded gains in motor performance in children with developmental coordination disorder, similarly;

• The selected Wii tasks were able to improve the motor performance in children with developmental coordination disorder, but should not be used as an exclusive strategy for these children;

• Our findings suggest caution in recommending Wii-based training as a viable alternative to more task-specific matched training for children with developmental coordination disorder.

Keywords:

• Motor skills disorders
• virtual reality
• rehabilitation
• innovative therapy
• motor performance

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank all the study participants as well as the assessors and therapists for the time to take part of this study.

Disclosure statement

The authors report no declarations of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP), grant 2015/24291–0.