Effect of Environment Enrichment (SPARK Perceptual-Motor Exercises) on the Improvement of Neurocognitive Functions in Children with Developmental Coordination Disorder

Introduction: Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) is a serious childhood disorder that causes social, emotional, cognitive, and motor difficulties for children. Accordingly, the current study aimed to examine the effect of perceptual-motor training on the improvement of neurocognitive functions in children with DCD. Materials and Methods: Twenty children were selected through simple random sampling from the children with DCD. The participants were classified into the experimental (10 children) and control (10 children) groups. The children in the experimental group underwent perceptual-motor training for 8 weeks (24 sessions). The neurocognitive functions of attention were assessed in the pretest and posttest using Conners’ Neuropsychological Scale (the Conners 3). Results: The results showed a significant difference between the mean neurocognitive functions of attention in the experimental and control groups. These functions improved considerably in the children of the experimental group. Conclusion: The results indicated that perceptual-motor training can be considered as a useful intervention technique to improve the neurocognitive functions of attention in children with DCD.