The effect of trampoline training combined with CO-OP intervention on motor performance in children with developmental coordination disorder

Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by motor coordination impairments, often accompanied by cognitive and emotional difficulties. This randomized controlled trial investigated the efficacy of 12-week trampoline training combined with home-based Cognitive Orientation to (Daily) Occupational Performance (CO-OP) in 20 children with DCD (5–6 years) and 20 typically developing (TD) peers. The intervention group (10 DCD + 10 TD) received trampoline training (3 sessions/week, 40 min) plus home CO-OP (3 sessions/week, 20 min); the control group received regular teaching. Using the Movement Assessment Battery for Children-2 (MABC-2) and Subjective Evaluation Scale for DCD (SES-DCD), we found children with DCD in the intervention group showed significant improvements in aiming/catching (10.08 ± 3.75 vs. 7.42 ± 4.48, p = 0.002), balance (10.00 ± 1.53 vs. 7.50 ± 1.62, p = 0.004), and total score (8.83 ± 2.16 vs. 6.00 ± 1.59, p < 0.001), with balance and total scores reaching TD levels (p < 0.01). Significant group×time interactions confirmed benefits in manual dexterity (p = 0.028), balance (p = 0.026), and total score (p = 0.003). Non-motor domains also improved, particularly concentration (2.12 ± 0.65, p < 0.001). The combined intervention effectively enhances motor and multi-domain development in children with DCD, offering a viable clinical approach. Trial registration: This study was registered with the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2400086675) on 08 July 2024.