title: A crossover randomised and controlled trial of the impact of active video games on motor coordination and perceptions of physical ability in children at risk of Developmental Coordination Disorder.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Impaired motor development can significantly affect a child's life and may result in an increased risk of a range of physical and psychological disorders. Active video game (AVG) interventions have been demonstrated to enhance motor skills in children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD); however a home-based intervention has not been assessed.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The primary aim of this study was to compare the changes in motor coordination between a 16 week period of AVG use, with 16 weeks of normal activities (NAG). The secondary aim was to compare the child and parent perceptions of their physical performance between the AVG and NAG conditions.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-one 9-12 year olds (10 males) were confirmed to be at risk of DCD (⩽ 16th percentile Movement Assessment Battery for Children-2nd edition (MABC-2) and ⩽ 15th percentile Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire (DCDQ)) and participated in this crossover randomised and controlled trial. Data was collected at study entry, after the first 16 week condition and following the final 16 week condition, including; (1) the MABC-2, (2) three-dimensional motion analysis of single leg balance and finger-nose tasks, and (3) parent perception of physical skills. Participant perception of physical skills was collected only after the first and second conditions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no significant difference between AVG and NAG for any of the primary variables including the MABC-2, balance centre-of-mass path distance and finger-nose path distance. There was no significant intervention effect for secondary measures of motor coordination; however the children perceived their motor skills to be significantly enhanced as a result of the AVG intervention in comparison to the period of no intervention.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A 16 week home based AVG intervention did not enhance motor skills in children with DCD, although they perceived their physical skills to be significantly improved.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Australia and New Zealand Clinical trials Registry (ACTRN 12611000400965).
authors.affiliation: School of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science, Curtin University, Australia.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Straker
authors.affiliation: School of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science, Curtin University, Australia.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Howie
authors.affiliation: School of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science, Curtin University, Australia.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: School of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science, Curtin University, Australia.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Jensen
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology & Speech Pathology, Curtin University, Australia.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Piek
authors.affiliation: School of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science, Curtin University, Australia. Electronic address: L.Straker@curtin.edu.au.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Campbell
mesh_terms: D000553:Ambulatory Care; D001076:Aptitude; D002648:Child; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019957:Motor Skills Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D012307:Risk Factors; D012649:Self Concept; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D018910:Video Games
keywords: Developmental Coordination Disorder; Motor coordination; Video games