Effects of mirror neuron system theory on hand dexterity and fine motor function in preschool children with developmental coordination disorder / 中国儿童保健杂志

ABSTRACT

【Objective】 To observe the effects of mirror neuron system theory(MNST) on hand dexterity and fine motor function in preschool children with developmental coordination disorder(DCD), so as to provide reference for the rehabilitation of children with DCD. 【Methods】 A total of 51 children with DCD treated at Nantong Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital from June 2021 to April 2023 were enrolled in this study, and were randomly assigned to treatment group (n=26) and control group (n=25) except for 5 cases who missed in the follow-up. Both groups received conventional rehabilitation training, while the treatment group received MNST additionally. The hand dexterity and fine motor function of both groups were assessed using the hand dexterity subscale of the Movement Assessment Battery for Children-Second Edition (MABC-2), Peabody Developmental Motor Scale-Fine Motor (PDMS-FM), and Function Independence Measure for Children (WeeFIM) before and after 12 weeks of treatment. 【Results】 Before treatment, there were no significant differences in hand dexterity subscale of MABC-2, PDMS-FM, and WeeFIM scores between the two groups (P>0.05). After treatment, both groups showed improvements in hand dexterity subscale of MABC-2, PDMS-FM, and WeeFIM scores (treatment group: t=35.620, 42.084, 40.072; control group: t=14.000, 12.017, 14.054, P<0.001), with the treatment group showing significantly greater improvements compared to the control group (t=2.611, 3.120, 2.331, P<0.05). 【Conclusion】 MNST combined with conventional rehabilitation training can enhance hand dexterity and fine motor function in children with DCD, thereby improving children′s activities of daily living.