Therapeutic Climbing for Children With Developmental Coordination Disorder: Multiple Case Studies and Logic Model of a Novel Intervention Program

This pilot study analyzed the therapeutic use of climbing, based on the cognitive orientation to daily occupational performance approach, with a small group of children presenting developmental coordination disorder, to propose a first logic model of this novel intervention program. A multiple-case study with mixed methods was conducted. Participants included eight children with developmental coordination disorder, age 8-12, and their parents. Before and after the intervention, measures comprised semistructured interviews and validated questionnaires. Intra- and intercase analyses, as well as a Wilcoxon signed-ranked test, were conducted. Clinically and statistically significant effects were found on performance and satisfaction regarding intervention goals. Participants reported benefits in children, notably on motivation, social skills, friendships, self-efficacy, pride, self-regulation, and use of strategies. The proposed logic model may guide improvement, implementation, and reassessment of this novel intervention program.