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Completed

NCT Number: NCT07813052

Effects of Exercise Combined With Cognitive Training on Motor Performance in Children With Developmental Coordination Disorder

Background: Developmental Coordination Disorder(DCD) is a common neuro-developmental disorder in childhood, characterized by deficits in motor coordination. This study aimed to examine the effects of exercise combined with cognitive training versus exercise-only training on balance-postural control, gross motor skills and physical fitness in children with DCD.

Methods: A single-blind randomized controlled trial was conducted. Twenty children aged 7-11 years diagnosed with DCD were randomly allocated into experimental group(n=10) receiving 10-week combined exercise-cognitive training and control group(n=10) receiving exercise-only training. Training was implemented 3 sessions per week, 60 minutes per session for 10 weeks. Outcome assessments were performed at baseline, week-6 and week-10. Motor performance indicators included Y-balance test, eyes-closed single-leg stand, BOT-2 gross-motor sub-scale and national student physical fitness tests.

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Key information

Conditions

Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) Mental Disorders Motor Skills Disorders Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Age range

7 year–11 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Shanghai University of Sport

Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality, 200438, China

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Children aged between 7-11 years old.
  • Satisfied screening criteria for Developmental Coordination Disorder: MABC-2 total percentile ≤16 or sub-item percentile ≤5; meet age-cut-off score of DCD-Q questionnaire.
  • Caregiver reported motor difficulties have presented from early developmental stage.
  • Participants are capable of completing all training and assessment procedures.
  • Written informed consent provided by legal guardians.

Exclusion criteria

  • Diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, ADHD or other neurodevelopmental disorders.
  • Severe organic disease that contraindicates physical exercise.
  • Receiving concurrent physical therapy or occupational therapy targeting motor coordination during study period.

Treatment and study plan

Combined exercise-cognitive training

Behavioral

Participants received 10-week training, 3 sessions per week, 60 minutes per session. Each session contained 30-minute fundamental motor-skill exercise (running, jumping, kicking, throwing, catching), plus 30-minute cognitive training consisting of action observation, motor-imagery guided tasks with picture/video prompts. Training difficulty was progressively divided into basic phase(1-3w), advanced phase(4-6w), and integration phase(7-10w).

Exercise-only training

Behavioral

Participants received identical 30-minute fundamental motor-skill physical exercise same as experimental group each session. Instead of cognitive training, children performed matched quiet non-cognitive rest activity for another 30 minutes, to equalize total trainer-contact time. The whole intervention lasted 10 weeks, three sessions weekly, 60 minutes each session.

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in Gross Motor Skills Assessed by the BOT-2

    Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and post-intervention (10 weeks).

    The Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency, Second Edition (BOT-2) evaluates gross motor skills, including balance, bilateral coordination, and running speed. The Total Motor Composite standard score will be reported. The standard score ranges from a minimum of 20 to a maximum of 80. Higher scores indicate better gross motor proficiency and coordination.

  2. Change in Dynamic Postural Control Assessed by the Y-Balance

    Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) ,6weeks and post-intervention (10 weeks).

    Measures maximum controlled reach distance in three directions while maintaining a single-leg stance.

  3. Change in Static Postural Control Assessed by the Single-Leg Stance Test with Eyes Closed

    Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) ,6weeks and post-intervention 10weeks

    Participants stand on one leg with their eyes closed. The duration (in seconds) they can successfully maintain balance is recorded to evaluate static postural control and proprioceptive integration capacity.

  4. Change in Lower Limb Coordination Assessed by the Side Hop Test

    Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) ,6weeks and post-intervention 10weeks

    Participants perform continuous lateral jumps back and forth over a set distance within a limited time. The total number of successful jumps is recorded to reflect lower limb coordination and rapid posture adjustment ability.

  5. Change in Sprinting Speed Assessed by the 50-Meter Dash

    Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) ,6weeks and post-intervention 10weeks

    The time taken (in seconds) to complete a 50-meter sprint is recorded to evaluate physical speed and acceleration capabilities.

  6. Change in Coordination and Cardiopulmonary Endurance Assessed by the 1-Minute Jump Rope Test

    Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) ,6weeks and post-intervention 10weeks

    The number of valid jumps completed within one minute is recorded to reflect whole-body coordination and cardiopulmonary endurance levels.

  7. Change in Lower Limb Explosive Power Assessed by the Standing Long Jump

    Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) ,6weeks and post-intervention 10weeks

    The maximum valid horizontal jump distance (in centimeters) is recorded to evaluate the explosive power of the lower limbs.

  8. Change in Core Muscle Endurance Assessed by the 1-Minute Sit-Up Test

    Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) ,6weeks and post-intervention 10weeks

    The number of correctly performed sit-ups completed in one minute is recorded to evaluate trunk and core muscle endurance.

  9. Change in Flexibility Assessed by the Sit-and-Reach Test

    Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) ,6weeks and post-intervention 10weeks

    The maximum forward reach distance (in centimeters) is recorded to evaluate the flexibility of the lower back and hamstring muscles.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Shanghai University of Sport

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Effects of Exercise Combined With Cognitive Training on Balance, Motor Skills and Physical Fitness Among Children With Developmental Coordination Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Important dates

Study start
2024
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2025
First posted
Sep 10, 2026
Registry last updated
Sep 10, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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