Examining the evidence for interventions with children with developmental coordination disorder

Author:
ARMSTRONG Dorothy
Journal article citation:
British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 75(12), December 2012, pp.532-540.
Publisher:
Sage

This critical review of the literature examines the evidence for the effectiveness of a selection of interventions for improving occupational performance in children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD). The search criteria included: children whose primary diagnosis was DCD; research into the effectiveness of an intervention or interventions; interventions that fit with occupational therapy practice (although not necessarily carried out by an occupational therapist); published in peer-reviewed journals; published since 1984; and available in English. The following databases were included: EMBASE, PsycINFO, CINAHL and ERIC. All articles retrieved were screened for relevance and their reference lists scanned. Nineteen articles were appraised using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme. Of the approaches reviewed, the evidence points to interventions that use client’s activities of daily living as part of the intervention, such as CO-OP (Cognitive Orientation to Daily Occupational Performance), as being most effective in improving occupational performance. Other approaches reviewed include; sensory integration, servomotor task training, goal-orientated group intervention, exercise programmes, and compensatory approaches.

Subject terms:
intervention, occupational therapy, physical disabilities, activities of daily living, children;
Content type:
research review
Link:
Journal home page
ISSN online:
1477-6006
ISSN print:
0308-0226

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