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

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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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
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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.

Official Title
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A Randomised Controlled Trial of a Group-based, Gaze Training Intervention for Children With Developmental Coordination Disorder

Conditions
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Developmental Coordination Disorder

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Technical Training
* Behavioral: Quiet Eye Training


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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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

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 7 Years
Maximum Age: 11 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Technical Training Group<br>15 children diagnosed with DCD | Behavioral: Technical Training<br>* Children will watch an instructional video focused on movement related instructions regarding the throwing and catching task.<br>|
| Experimental: Quiet Eye Training Group<br>15 children diagnosed with DCD | Behavioral: Quiet Eye Training<br>* Children will watch the same video as the TT group but will also receive instructions designed to optimise their quiet eye durations.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in Catching Success | How many balls the participants catch out of 50 attempts | From Baseline to after a 4 week training period, and after 6-week delayed retention test | 
| Changes in the qualitative catching performance scale score | 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). | From Baseline to after a 4 week training period, and after 6-week delayed retention test | 
| Changes in Quiet Eye durations | Changes in participants eye-movements | From Baseline to after a 4 week training period, and after 6-week delayed retention test | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

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

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Quiet eye training, Visual Attention