Obstacle Course Versus Neuromotor Task Training in Children With DCD

NCT07575178 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: Riphah IU-Arshmaan
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 28
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) affects motor planning and functional mobility in children, leading to long-term functional and psychosocial difficulties. This randomized clinical trial will compare the effectiveness of Obstacle Course Training (OCT) and Neuromotor Task Training (NTT) in improving motor planning and functional mobility in children aged 7-10 years diagnosed with DCD. Participants will be randomly allocated to either OCT or NTT for 9 weeks (two sessions per week). Outcomes will be assessed using standardized motor performance measures to determine the more effective intervention.

Conditions

Development Coordination Disorder

Keywords

Motor planning, Functional mobility, Neuromotor task training

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency, Second Edition (BOT-2) for fine and gross Motor Skills

  The BOT-2 (Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency, Second Edition) scoring converts raw scores into precise motor proficiency metrics for ages 4-21, using sex-specific norms

  9 weeks

• Timed Up and Go Test (TUG)

  The Timed Up and Go (TUG) test measures functional mobility and fall risk in seconds. The test requires a participant to stand up, walk 3 meters, turn, walk back, and sit down. Results \< 10 seconds indicate normal mobility, while times \>13.5-14 seconds indicate a higher risk of falls and frailty, requiring further evaluation

  9 weeks

Study Arms (2)

Obstacle Course Training (OCT)

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants will receive structured Obstacle Course Training focused on over-ground walking with obstacle negotiation. Training targets motor planning, toe clearance, and functional mobility under single- and dual-task conditions.

Behavioral: Obstacle Course Training

Neuromotor Task Training (NTT)

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants will receive neuromotor task training using task-oriented activities focused on motor planning, execution, and evaluation through structured, game-based stations.

Behavioral: Neuromotor Task Training

Interventions

Obstacle Course Training BEHAVIORAL

Participants will perform Obstacle Course Training on a 12-meter walkway with a midpoint obstacle at low (30% leg length) and high (50% leg length) heights. Training includes single-task walking (8 trials) and dual-task walking (16 trials) with concurrent visual discrimination tasks using flashcards. Walking time, toe clearance, and response accuracy will be recorded. Sessions will be conducted twice weekly for 9 weeks.

Obstacle Course Training (OCT)

Neuromotor Task Training BEHAVIORAL

Each session will involve task-oriented activities arranged in multiple stations. Activities will be broken down into planning, execution, and evaluation phases and will include soccer, netball, basketball, tagging games, rope skipping, and other age-appropriate functional games. Children will perform tasks with therapist guidance and feedback to enhance motor planning and performance. Each session will last approximately 45-60 minutes, including warm-up, main activities, and cool-down. The intervention will be delivered over 9 weeks, with 2 sessions per week.

Neuromotor Task Training (NTT)

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 7 Years - 10 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Child (0-17)

You may qualify if:

• Diagnosis of DCD based on DSM4/5 criteria.
• Children aged 7-10.
• Gender male and female.
• Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score \>24 .
• Cognitive development appropriate for chronological age.
• Raven Intelligence Test Scale (IQ \> 75) .
• Developmental Coordination Questionnaire ≤48 points: likely DCD (≤ 10th percentile).
• BOT-2 score ≤ 40.

You may not qualify if:

• History of surgery and lower limb injuries over the past 12 months.
• Use of assistive devices to balance and walk.
• Severe ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder (if it significantly interferes with participation), or major psychiatric disorders.
• Taking neuroleptics or any other medications that significantly alter muscle tone, coordination, or attention.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Riphah International University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Riphah Rehabilitation Center, Riphah International University

Lahore, Punjab Province, 54000, Pakistan

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Motor Skills Disorders

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Neurodevelopmental Disorders; Mental Disorders

Study Officials

• Khadija Liaquat, MS

  Riphah International University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Khadija Liaquat, MS

CONTACT

051591289095; khadija.liaquat@riphah.edu.pk

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: December 14, 2025
• First Posted: May 8, 2026
• Study Start: May 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): July 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): August 1, 2026
• Last Updated: May 8, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-05

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

PA (1)