Tai chi-muscle power training for children with developmental coordination disorder: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

This study compared the effectiveness of tai chi (TC) muscle power training (MPT), TC alone, MPT alone, and no training for improving the limits of stability (LOS) and motor and leg muscular performance and decreasing falls in children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD). One hundred and twenty-one children with DCD were randomly assigned to the TC-MPT, TC, MPT, or control group. The three intervention groups received TC-MPT, TC, or MPT three times per week for 3 months. Measurements were taken before and after the intervention period. The primary outcomes were the LOS completion time and dynamic LOS scores. The secondary outcomes included the Movement Assessment Battery for Children-Second Edition total test score and percentile rank, knee muscle peak force and time to peak force, and the number of falls. None of the interventions affected the LOS test scores. Improvements in the peak forces of the knee extensors and flexors were demonstrated in the TC (p = 0.006) and MPT groups (p = 0.032), respectively. The number of falls also decreased in these two groups (p < 0.001). Thus, clinicians may prescribe TC or MPT for children with DCD to increase their knee muscle strength and reduce their risk of falls.