Effects of Rhythmic and Simple Auditory Stimulations on Learning the Timing of Sequential Motor Task in Children With DCD

Abstract

Introduction: Children and adolescents with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) usually fail to understand spatial awareness and motor timing. The present study assessed Rhythmic Auditory Stimulations (RAS) and Simple Auditory Stimulations (SAS) to facilitate the learning of timing in sequential motor task and recorded the results of their relative and absolute timing errors. Materials and Methods: 56 male students aged 9-12 years with DCD in Neyshabur city were selected by diagnosing with the following tools: Teacher Motor Inventory, Parental Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire, Movement Assessment Battery for Children-Second (MABC-2 movement test), spatial-visual memory assessment, intelligence assessment, RT test, and biopsychological health status evaluation. Then, they were divided into RAS, SAS, control group 1 (visual), and control group 2. Moreover, a pretest score was performed. Next, the training protocol was presented in 10 blocks of 5 attempts and the acquisition test was performed. Finally, the retention and transfer tests were performed after 48 hours and 10 minutes, respectively. Results: Based on the obtained results, a significant difference was observed between the visual stimulation group and the RAS and SAS groups in relative and absolute timing components (P≤0.05). However, no significant difference was reported between the rhythmic, SAS, and visual-auditory stimulation groups in relative and absolute timing variables (P˃0.05). Conclusion: Finally, no significant difference was observed between the RAS and simple stimulations although the graphs displayed the effect of the first stimulation more than that of the second one.