Impact of Gross Motor Coordination Exercises on Perceptual Processes and Praxis in Early School Children With Symptoms of Developmental Coordination Disorder: Preliminary Report of Randomized Controlled Study

BACKGROUND Physical activity has a general impact on cognitive processes, but evidence on the effects of specific exercises on particular cognitive or executive functions remains limited. Previous studies suggest that movements crossing the body's midline stimulate excitability and plasticity in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and superior parietal cortex. This study aimed to investigate whether such exercises produce long-term functional changes in these areas. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study involved 22 children aged 6 to 8 years with symptoms of developmental coordination disorder (DCD), divided into 2 equal groups. Both groups completed approximately 9 weeks of coordination training based on Bilateral Integration by Sheila Dobie OBE (the total diagnostic and therapeutic cycle lasted approximately 16 weeks, including a break). The intervention group performed exercises involving midline crossing, while the control group performed exercises without this element. Assessments (sensory integration and praxis tests and the bilateral motor coordination test) were conducted 3 times: before intervention, after 9-week program, and at follow-up. RESULTS Significant improvements were observed in both groups in sequencing praxis (P=0.041 in the control group; P<0.001 in the intervention group) and bilateral motor coordination (P=0.013; P=0.020), but at different rates. In the intervention group, improvements appeared after the intervention, while in the control group only at follow-up. Large effect sizes were found (η² ϵ [0.293, 0.670]), with high statistical power. No significant changes were observed in other functions. CONCLUSIONS The Bilateral Integration method improves sequencing praxis and interhemispheric integration in children with DCD symptoms. Midline-crossing exercises may yield relatively fast improvements in short-term programs.