The Effects of a Group-based Gaze Training Intervention for Children With Developmental Coordination Disorder

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Developmental Coordination Disorder
• Interventions: Behavioral: Quiet Eye Training; Behavioral: Technical Training

• Registration Number: NCT02904980
• Lead Sponsor: Manchester Metropolitan University

Brief Summary

The aim of this study was to integrate a gaze training intervention (i.e., quiet eye training; QET) that has been shown to improve the throwing and catching skill of children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), within an approach (i.e., group therapy) that might alleviate the psychosocial influence of these motor skill deficits.

Detailed Description

Children with DCD will be randomly split into either QET group or a technical training (TT). The TT group will be given movement-related instructions via video, relating to the throw and catch phases, while the QET group will also be taught to fixate a target location on the wall prior to the throw (QE1) and to track the ball prior to the catch (QE2). Each group will take part in a 4- week, group therapy intervention and measurements of QE duration obtained from a mobile eye tracking system and catching performance are to be taken before and after training, and at a 6-week delayed retention test. Parental feedback on psychosocial and motor skill outcomes will also be collected at delayed retention.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2015-02
• Primary Completion: 2015-09
• Study Completion: 2015-09
• Status Verified: 2016-09
• Study First Submitted: 2016-09-09
• Study First Submitted QC: 2016-09-13
• Last Update Submitted: 2016-09-13
• Study First Posted: 2016-09-19
• Last Update Posted: 2016-09-19

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 23

Inclusion Criteria

• Prior diagnosis of Developmental Coordination Disorder or suspected to have DCD
• Scores below the 5th percentile on the MABC-2 (Movement Assessment Battery for Children-2)
• Be of normal intelligence (assessed through parent/teacher feedback)
• No neurological disorder
• Normal of corrected-to-normal vision

Exclusion Criteria

• Score over 5th Percentile on the MABC-2
• Suffers from a neurological disorder
• Below average intelligence
• Any visual impairment

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Quiet Eye Training Group	Quiet Eye Training	15 children diagnosed with DCD
Technical Training Group	Technical Training	15 children diagnosed with DCD

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Changes in the qualitative catching performance scale score	From Baseline to after a 4 week training period, and after 6-week delayed retention test	The qualitative catching performance scale consisted of an 11-point scale whereby catch attempts were given a score between '0' (Makes no move towards the ball as it comes back) and '10' (The catch is made exclusively with the palms and fingers).
Changes in Quiet Eye durations	From Baseline to after a 4 week training period, and after 6-week delayed retention test	Changes in participants eye-movements
Change in Catching Success	From Baseline to after a 4 week training period, and after 6-week delayed retention test	How many balls the participants catch out of 50 attempts

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Changes 3D Movement Kinematics	From Baseline to after a 4 week training period, and after 6-week delayed retention test	Changes in joint angles related to the throwing movement
Parental Perceptions of Motor Skill Improvements	End of the study (approximately 12 weeks after baseline testing)	Parent feedback will be gathered using a short answer questionnaire.
Changes in Muscular Activity (EMG)	From Baseline to after a 4 week training period, and after 6-week delayed retention test	Changes in muscular activity related to the throwing task

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Manchester Metropolitan University; 🇬🇧 Crewe, Cheshire, United Kingdom