A comparison of using the DSM-5 and MABC-2 for estimating the developmental coordination disorder prevalence in Korean children

Abstract Background Previous literature has shown inconsistency in the prevalence of developmental coordination disorder (DCD). The Movement Assessment Battery for Children, Second Edition (MABC-2) is often used for DCD prevalence studies, although the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) recommends four criteria. Aims The purpose of this study was to compare the prevalence of DCD in Korean children using the DSM-5 and MABC-2. Methods A total of 548 Korean elementary school students (mean age: 8.5 years ± 4.5 months) completed this study procedure. All four criteria defined by the DSM-5 were used to classify children with DCD. MABC-2 test scores were used to classify students into four subgroups: high-risk DCD, mild-risk DCD, probable DCD and typical development. Results Cohen’s kappa revealed that the estimates of DCD prevalence were not significantly different between MABC-2 and DSM-5. When DSM-5 criteria were applied, 60 children out of 548 were classified as probable DCD (10.94%) compared to 70 children with probable DCD (12.77%) when MABC-2 was used. Conclusions DCD prevalence based on DSM-5 is not significantly different from MABC-2, though it tends to estimate less than MABC-2. Future studies should consider our findings when selecting an assessment tool.