Can active video games enhance motor coordination in children with developmental coordination disorder

Background: Developmental coordination disorder (DCD) is a common paediatric disorder linked with poorer physical andmental health outcomes for children. Traditional interventions are often therapist-time intensive. New video game technology requiring whole limb or body movement had been suggested as a means of encouraging children with DCD to practice movement and thus improve their coordination. However, whether active video game use at home can enhance motor coordination for children with DCD by encouraging appropriate movement is unknown. Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine if use of active video games in a home context could improve motor coordination in children with DCD. Methods: A cross-over randomised controlled trial was conducted in Perth, Australia with 21 children (11 boys) aged 11.0 (SD 1.0) years (height 148.3 (9.5) cm, weight 47.0 (12.5) kg). All children were at risk of DCD (DSM IV) (scored ≤16th percentile on the Movement Assessment Battery for Children-2 (MABC-2) and≤15th percentile Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire). Each child participated in the study for 8 months; 4 months with home access to active video games and 4 months with home access to sedentary video games. Order of conditions was randomized. During the active video game condition children were provided with Microsoft Xbox Kinect and Play Station 3 Move and a variety of non-violent games. Children were encouraged to play for a minimum of 20minutes on most days. Motor coordination was assessed using 3D motion analysis during upper limb (touching finger and nose) and balance tasks, MABC-2 clinical evaluation, and child and parent ratings of perceived coordination. Linear mixed models were used to compare scores at the end of each condition. Results: Finger-nose path distance and balancing centre of mass path distance were not significantly different following active video games and sedentary video games conditions (differences respectively −0.1 (95%CI −3.0, 4.2) cm/sec; −0.4 (95%CI−1.2, 0.4%)). NeitherwasMABC-2 total score percentile (difference 0.7 (95%CI−4.9, 6.3)). Child perceptions of skill were greater following active video game use (difference 1.8 (95%CI 1.1, 2.5/5) and parent reportedDCDQ difference approached significance (2.4 (95%CI−0.3, 5.1)). Conclusion(s): Home access to a range of active video games was not able to improve motor skills in children with DCD as measured by motion analysis and clinical testing. However children perceived enhanced motor skills following active video game exposure. Implications: Current active video games are not able to enhance motor coordination in children with DCD but may be useful as an adjunct to individually tailored therapy.