Abstract
BackgroundChildren with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) experience a range of difficulties that can potentially limit their academic, social and physical ability. Recent research has developed interventions that aim to improve motor outcomes in a variety of paediatric cohorts using video gaming equipment. Therefore, we aimed to systematically review the literature on virtual reality or video game interventions that aim to improve motor outcomes in children with DCD.MethodsSeven databases were searched for studies using the following criteria: a) virtual reality or video game based intervention; b) children with DCD; and c) motor outcomes relating to body structure and function, activity or participation. Data were extracted relating to study design, participant characteristics, details of the intervention, outcome measures, results, and feasibility/adherence.ResultsFifteen articles were included for review, including eight randomised controlled trials. No studies used virtual reality equipment, with all interventions using video games (Nintendo Wii in 12/15 articles). Mixed effects of video game intervention on outcome were found, with conflicting evidence across studies. Studies that reported on feasibility found most children enjoyed and adhered to the video game interventions.ConclusionsThis review found limited evidence for the effectiveness of video game interventions for children with DCD to improve motor outcomes due to limitations in the research including low sample sizes and low to moderate methodological quality. Further research is needed to determine the effect of video game or virtual reality interventions on motor outcomes in children with DCD.Protocol registrationThe protocol for this systematic review can be found on PROSPERO (CRD42017064427).
Highlights
Children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) experience a range of difficulties that can potentially limit their academic, social and physical ability
Protocol registration: The protocol for this systematic review can be found on PROSPERO (CRD42017064427)
One recent review has examined the effectiveness of video games for improving motor outcomes in paediatric cohorts including DCD [25], they examined multiple cohorts including cerebral palsy and Down syndrome and provided only a brief summary of the few results for children with DCD
Summary
Children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) experience a range of difficulties that can potentially limit their academic, social and physical ability. A wide range of interventions have been used to improve motor impairment in children with DCD [10,11,12,13,14] Emerging technology such as virtual reality and video game equipment has been the focus of recent research. Due to the increasing volume of research, recent reviews have been performed to determine the effect of such interventions, the focus has primarily been on upper limb outcomes [16, 21] or on other paediatric populations such as cerebral palsy [15, 23, 24]. The previous review did not examine the adherence to, or enjoyment of, video game intervention and did not determine if virtual reality equipment had been used in the DCD population
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