Evaluation of Cardiac Autonomic Control System changes following Motor Training Program on Children with Developmental Coordination Disorder: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Introduction: DCD is a developmental disorder which results in motor coordination difficulties. Children with DCD present abnormalities with cardiac autonomic control; it is a non-invasive marker for assessing the risk of a cardiovascular event. However, till date, no studies have examined the effects of cardiac autonomic control system in children with DCD. Objective: To evaluate the effects of a 8-session of motor skill training programme on the cardiac autonomic control and motor performance in children with DCD. Methods: After successful screening of participants using MABC-2, 10 children were included into the study after being positively screening for DCD and the Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire is also used to confirm the DCD based on the age specific scores in the guidelines. Result: Motor training protocol decreased the overall HRV and cardiac parasympathetic modulation, which was clear, since decreased HRV has been associated with increased risk for cardiovascular events. Conclusion: 6-session motor skills training programme is effective in increasing motor skills performance and in altering cardiac autonomic modulation