The effect of various types of exercise on children with DCD

The effect of top-down and bottom-up motor interventions on the development and learning of motor skills in children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD)

Status

Recruiting

Phases

Phase 3

Study type

Interventional

Source

IRCT

Registry ID

IRCT20260427069185N1

Enrollment

Registered

2026-05-01

Start date

2026-04-30

Completion date

Unknown

Last updated

2026-06-01

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD). Specific developmental disorder of motor function

Interventions

Intervention 1: First intervention group (bottom-up approach): The first intervention group (bottom-up approach) will undergo a strength training program consisting of 8 weeks of training, 3 sessions

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

All

Age

7 Years to 9 Years

Inclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria: Having a chronological age in the range of 7 to 9 years Having a score below the cut-off point on the DCDQ questionnaire (parent version). Having a score below the cut-off point (16th percentile) on the MABC-2 screening test to confirm the symptoms of DCD. Having a normal IQ (above 75). Parental and child consent to voluntarily participate in the research.

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria: Having symptoms of ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) based on the child psychologist’s assessment. Having acute neurological or psychological disorders based on the individual's medical records. Having a history of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
The total motor skills score of children with DCD, measured using the Movement Assessment Battery for Children-Second Edition (MABC-2). This test consists of three subtests: manual dexterity (fine motor skills), aiming and catching (ball skills), and balance (static and dynamic). The standardized score for each subtest and the total percentile score will be calculated. A score below the 5th percentile indicates severe motor impairment, while a score between the 5th and 15th percentile indicates risk of motor difficulty. Timepoint: The pretest measurement will be conducted before the start of the intervention, and the posttest measurement will be conducted one day after the end of the intervention period. Method of measurement: The second edition of the Movement Assessment Battery for Children (MABC-2).	—

Measure

Time frame

The total motor skills score of children with DCD, measured using the Movement Assessment Battery for Children-Second Edition (MABC-2). This test consists of three subtests: manual dexterity (fine motor skills), aiming and catching (ball skills), and balance (static and dynamic). The standardized score for each subtest and the total percentile score will be calculated. A score below the 5th percentile indicates severe motor impairment, while a score between the 5th and 15th percentile indicates risk of motor difficulty. Timepoint: The pretest measurement will be conducted before the start of the intervention, and the posttest measurement will be conducted one day after the end of the intervention period. Method of measurement: The second edition of the Movement Assessment Battery for Children (MABC-2).

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Secondary

Measure	Time frame
Manual Dexterity. Timepoint: The pretest measurement will be conducted before the start of the intervention, and the posttest measurement will be conducted one day after the end of the intervention period. Method of measurement: The standardized scores of Manual Dexterity skills in children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), measured using the first subscale of the Movement Assessment Battery for Children—Second Edition (MABC-2). This subscale consists of three items: placing coins, threading beads, and drawing a trail. The standardized score for each subscale is calculated and reported separately.;Aiming & Catching. Timepoint: The pretest measurement will be conducted before the start of the intervention, and the posttest measurement will be conducted one day after the end of the intervention period. Method of measurement: The standardized scores of aiming and catching skills in children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), measured using the second subscale of the Movement Assessment Battery for Children—Second Edition (MABC-2). This subscale consists of two items: catching a ball with two hands and throwing a ball at a target. The standardized score for each subscale is calculated and reported separately.;Balance Skills. Timepoint: The pretest measurement will be conducted before the start of the intervention, and the posttest measurement will be conducted one day after the end of the intervention period. Method of measurement: The standardized scores of balance skills in children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), measured using the third subscale of the Movement Assessment Battery for Children—Second Edition (MABC-2). This subscale consists of three items: static balance on a balance board and dynamic balance (heel-to-toe walking along a line). The standardized score for each subscale is calculated and reported separately.;Center of Pressure (COP) oscillations. Timepoint: The pretest measurement will be conducted before the	—

Measure

Time frame

Manual Dexterity. Timepoint: The pretest measurement will be conducted before the start of the intervention, and the posttest measurement will be conducted one day after the end of the intervention period. Method of measurement: The standardized scores of Manual Dexterity skills in children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), measured using the first subscale of the Movement Assessment Battery for Children—Second Edition (MABC-2). This subscale consists of three items: placing coins, threading beads, and drawing a trail. The standardized score for each subscale is calculated and reported separately.;Aiming & Catching. Timepoint: The pretest measurement will be conducted before the start of the intervention, and the posttest measurement will be conducted one day after the end of the intervention period. Method of measurement: The standardized scores of aiming and catching skills in children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), measured using the second subscale of the Movement Assessment Battery for Children—Second Edition (MABC-2). This subscale consists of two items: catching a ball with two hands and throwing a ball at a target. The standardized score for each subscale is calculated and reported separately.;Balance Skills. Timepoint: The pretest measurement will be conducted before the start of the intervention, and the posttest measurement will be conducted one day after the end of the intervention period. Method of measurement: The standardized scores of balance skills in children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), measured using the third subscale of the Movement Assessment Battery for Children—Second Edition (MABC-2). This subscale consists of three items: static balance on a balance board and dynamic balance (heel-to-toe walking along a line). The standardized score for each subscale is calculated and reported separately.;Center of Pressure (COP) oscillations. Timepoint: The pretest measurement will be conducted before the

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Countries

Iran (Islamic Republic of)

Contacts

Public ContactHassan Kordi

University of Tehran

hassankordi@ut.ac.ir+98 21 8835 1735

Outcome results

None listed

Source: IRCT (via WHO ICTRP) · Data processed: Jun 11, 2026