RCT
A crossover randomised and controlled trial of the impact of active video games (AVG) on motor coordination and perceptions of physical ability in children at risk of Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD)
Straker, L., Howie, E., Smith, A., Jensen, L., Piek, J. & Campbell, A.
Human Movement Science, 42 (2015) 146 – 160
Link to abstract: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26037276
Objective: In children with DCD, does exposure to AVG vs video game avoidance result in changes to motor coordination, or changes to parents’ or subjects’ perception of motor coordination.
Method: Twenty-one 9 to 12 year old children at risk of DCD were randomized in an unblinded cross-over study. They completed the Movement Assessment Battery for Children-2 (MABC-2) and 3D motion analysis at the beginning of the study and after each condition; video game avoidance and AVG. AVG was done for a minimum of 20 minutes a day for at least 4 days a week for 16 weeks. Parents completed the Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire (DCDQ) and their children, used a global scale to report changes in their physical skills.
Findings: No significant differences were noted in MABC-2 scores, in 3D motion analysis or in the parents DCDQ ratings. "The children reported their motor skills to be significantly enhanced as a result of the AVG intervention in comparison to the period of no intervention".