The effect of different intervention programmes on the self‐concept and motor proficiency of 7‐ to 9‐year‐old children with DCD

Abstract

The self-concept of children is influenced by developmental co-ordination disorder (DCD). The aim was to determine the most effective method in enhancing motor proficiency and self-concept of 7- to 9-year-old children with DCD. Teachers at nine different schools identified 201 possible DCD candidates. The Movement Assessment Battery for Children identified 58 with DCD (36 boys and 22 girls). Self-concept and anxiety were determined by the Tennessee Self-Concept Scale (Child Form) and Child Anxiety Scale respectively. The children were randomly grouped into four experimental groups [motor intervention (MI), self-concept (SC) enhancing intervention, psycho-motor intervention (P-MI) and a control group (CG)]. A two-way analysis of variance (anova) with a group factor and a repeated measures over time followed by a Bonferroni post hoc analysis and separate one-way anovas followed by a Tukey post hoc analysis were conducted to determine between-group and within-group differences at the pre-, post- and re-tests. Effect sizes (d) were calculated to determine the practical significance of statistical differences (P < 0.05). After completion of the intervention programmes, no significant improvement in motor proficiency was found in the SC group, while the MI, P-MI and CG groups improved significantly (P < 0.01). No further improvements were found after the retention period in all the groups. From the pre-test to retest 2, the MI, P-MI and CG improved (P < 0.01), while the SC showed lower (P > 0.05) motor proficiency. A tendency of lower anxiety (P > 0.05) was found in the SC, while the total self-concept of the P-MI showed the biggest improvement (P < 0.05). Motor proficiency and self-concept of children with DCD benefit from intervention, but both should be addressed for optimal benefits.