Article Text
Abstract
Introduction Children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) are less physically active than their typically developing peers. No substantiated interventions are available to address this issue. Therefore, this study aims to describe the design and rationale of (1) a family-focused intervention to increase motivation for physical activity (PA) and, indirectly, lifestyle PA in children aged 7–12 years with DCD and (2) the methods to examine its preliminary effectiveness and feasibility.
Methods and analysis This intervention is the second part of a more comprehensive, multidisciplinary treatment called We12BFit! The intervention was developed using the steps of treatment theory which includes the concept of targets, mechanism of action and essential ingredients. The content of the intervention is based on the transtheoretical model of change (TTM). In the intervention, the motivation for PA will be targeted through application of behaviour change strategies that fit the stages of the TTM. The modes of delivery include: pedometer, poster, parent meeting, booklet and coaching. At least 19 children with DCD, aged 7–12 years, will be included from two schools for special education and two rehabilitation centres. The intervention will be evaluated using a single-arm mixed-method design. Effectiveness will be assessed at three instances by using ActiGraph accelerometers accompanied by an activity log. Feasibility will be assessed using interviews with the participants and coaches. This evaluation may add to our understanding of motivation for PA in children with DCD and may eventually improve the rehabilitation programme of children with DCD.
Ethics and dissemination The study has been approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of the University Medical Center of Groningen (METc 2015.216). We will disseminate the final results to the public through journal publications and presentations for practice providers and scientists. A final study report will also be provided to funding organisations.
Protocol version 4, 12 April 2018.
Trial registration number NTR6334; Pre-results.
- child
- motor skills disorder
- healthy lifestyle
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Footnotes
Contributors PB, IS, HB and MMS developed the study. PB wrote the first draft of the article. PB, IS, HB, CKvdS, MMS and RD critically revised the paper and gave final approval for publication.
Funding This work was supported by Fonds Nuts Ohra (1204-038), RevalidatieFonds (R2013053), Stichting Beatrixoord Noord-Nederland (210.139) and Center of Expertise Healthy Ageing Hanze Hogeschool.
Disclaimer The study sponsors were not involved in the study design, writing of the report and the decision to submit the report for publication.
Competing interests None declared.
Patient consent Not required.
Ethics approval The Medical Ethics Committee of the University Medical Center of Groningen (METc 2015.216).
Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.