Effects of Virtual Reality Among Children With Developmental Coordination Disorder: An ICF -Based Randomized Controlled Study

IMPORTANCE: Virtual reality (VR) intervention may offer significant benefits in improving motor, cognitive, and sensory-perceptual skills and activity levels among children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD), a condition often affecting daily functioning. OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of VR intervention on motor, cognitive, and sensory-perceptual skills and activity levels among children with DCD from the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health perspective. DESIGN: Single-blind randomized controlled trial. SETTING: University hospital. PARTICIPANTS: 48 children, ages 5 to 8 yr. INTERVENTION: The study group received VR in addition to COT, and the control group received only COT. In the COT-only program, sensorimotor-based activity approaches were used to provide children with diverse sensorimotor experiences. Both interventions took place 2×/wk for 8 wk, totaling 16 sessions. OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Participants were evaluated using the Test of Gross Motor Development (2nd ed.), Childhood Executive Functioning Inventory, Sensory Integration and Praxis Test, Motor-Free Visual Perception Test (3rd ed.), and Functional Independence Measure for Children. RESULTS: The study group showed statistically significant improvements in motor, cognitive, sensory-perceptual skills, and activity levels (p < .05). The control group showed significant improvements in only sensory-perceptual skills and activity levels (p < .05), with no significant differences in motor and cognitive skills (p > .05). The study group showed stronger effects across all measured areas (d > 0.8). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Adding VR to COT was more effective than COT alone in enhancing motor, cognitive, and sensory-perceptual skills and activity levels. These results highlight the potential of VR in pediatric rehabilitation to improve therapeutic outcomes. Plain-Language Summary: This study examined whether the use of virtual reality combined with conventional occupational therapy could improve motor, cognitive, and sensory-perceptual skills and activity levels in children with developmental coordination disorder. A total of 48 children, ages 5 to 8, were randomly assigned to two groups: one received both conventional occupational therapy and virtual reality therapy, and the other received only conventional occupational therapy. The children were tested before and after the intervention on motor skills, cognitive abilities, sensory processing, visual perception, and daily activities. Results showed significant improvements in motor, cognitive, sensory, and visual skills in the virtual reality and conventional occupational therapy group, with larger effects observed. These findings suggest that virtual reality could be a valuable addition to therapeutic programs for children with developmental coordination disorder and help them achieve better outcomes. Furthermore, it suggests that integrating virtual reality into conventional occupational therapy programs could provide therapists with a valuable tool to enhance treatment outcomes.