Obstacle Course Versus Neuromotor Task Training in Children With DCD

Comparison of Obstacle Course Training and Neuromotor Task Training on Motor Planning and Functional Mobility in Children With Developmental Coordination Disorder

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.

Study Overview

• Status: Not yet recruiting
• Conditions: Development Coordination Disorder
• Intervention / Treatment: Behavioral: Obstacle Course Training; Behavioral: Neuromotor Task Training

Detailed Description

Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) is a prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder affecting approximately 5-6% of school-aged children worldwide. Marked by impairments in motor coordination, skill development, and functional performance. The complex etiology of Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) is linked to atypical neurodevelopment, genetic predispositions, and associated co-morbidities such as ADHD and ASD, further influenced by perinatal factors like prematurity and low birth weight. DCD is associated with long-term consequences, including difficulties in activities of daily living (ADLs), reduced participation in physical activities, and impaired psychosocial functioning, which collectively increase the risk of obesity and lower self-efficacy. Early, targeted, and task-specific interventions are crucial. Among these, Neuromotor Task Training (NTT) focuses on improving motor planning through structured, cognitive strategies, while Obstacle Course Training (OCT) provides a dynamic setting that promotes functional movement and real-time problem-solving.

This randomized clinical trial will compare the effects of both interventions. The study will be conducted over 10 months at the University of Lahore Teaching Hospital (ULTH) pediatric rehabilitation center and Sehat Medical Complex (SMC) Hanjarwal. The duration of the intervention will be 9 weeks, with 2 sessions per week. There will be two study groups, and convenient sampling techniques will be used. Eligible participants will be children aged 7 to 10 years, both males and females, diagnosed with DCD based on DSM-5 criteria, with a Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score >24 and an IQ above 75 on the Raven Intelligence Scale. Screening for DCD will be done using the Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire (DCDQ) and motor proficiency will be assessed using the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency (BOT-2). Children with a DCDQ score of ≤48 and a BOT-2 score of ≤40 will be included. Children with other neurological, psychiatric, or orthopedic conditions will be excluded. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either Obstacle Course Training (OCT) or Neuromotor Task Training (NTT) to assess which intervention more effectively improves motor planning and functional mobility. SPSS version 27 will be used for data analysis.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 28
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Khadija Liaquat, MS; Phone Number: 051591289095; Email: khadija.liaquat@riphah.edu.pk

Study Locations

• Pakistan
  • Punjab Province
    • Lahore, Punjab Province, Pakistan, 54000
      • Riphah Rehabilitation Center, Riphah International University
      • Contact: Muhammad hashim PPDPT

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Child
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• • 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.

Exclusion Criteria:

• 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.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Obstacle Course Training (OCT); 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; 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.
Experimental: Neuromotor Task Training (NTT); 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; 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.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
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

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Riphah International University
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Khadija Liaquat, MS, Riphah International University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Estimated): May 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): July 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): August 1, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: December 14, 2025
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: May 4, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): May 8, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): May 8, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: May 4, 2026
• Last Verified: May 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Motor planning, Functional mobility, Neuromotor task training
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Mental Disorders; Neurodevelopmental Disorders; Motor Skills Disorders
• Other Study ID Numbers: Riphah IU-Arshmaan

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No