# Efficacy of Leap Motion Device on Fine Motor Function and Handwriting in Children With Developmental Coordination Disorder: A Randomized Control Trial

## TL;DR

This study found that using a Leap Motion Controller improved fine motor skills and handwriting in children with coordination disorders, similar to traditional exercises.

## Contribution

The study introduces the Leap Motion Controller as an effective tool for improving motor function in children with DCD.

## Key findings

- Children using the Leap Motion Controller showed improved handwriting and fine motor function.
- Both groups showed improvements, but the Leap Motion group had more statistically significant results.
- The study supports using technology as an alternative to traditional motor exercises for DCD.

## Abstract

Background

The neurodevelopmental disorder, referred to as developmental coordination disorder (DCD), impacts everyday tasks and academic achievement by impairing muscle coordination. DCD children are very often characterized as "clumsy" and "uncoordinated," which can result in easily rectifiable performance difficulties. The aim and objective of the study were to determine the effectiveness of Leap Motion Controller® (LMC®) exercises on fine motor function and handwriting in children with DCD.

Methods

After getting ethical clearance from the university institutional ethics committee (DMIMS(DU)/IEC/2022/897), the Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire (DCD'Q07) questionnaire was given to the parents of the children, and duly filled questionnaires were collected from them after one week. Based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V) criteria, the children prone to DCD were identified from the questionnaire (n = 30). The participants were subsequently divided into the experimental (n = 15) and control groups (n = 15). Children in the experimental group used the LMC® to perform tasks, while those in the control group completed traditional fine motor exercises for the upper limb. Pre- and post-outcome measures were taken using the scale for handwriting evaluation (SHE) and the movement assessment battery for children (MABC) (manual dexterity) by the assessor who was aware of the outcome measures.

Results

Using software from IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 27 (Released 2020; IBM Corp., Armonk, New York, United States), descriptive and inferential statistics were performed. The Z-test, Wilcoxon signed-rank test, and Mann-Whitney U test were used for within-group and between-group comparisons. The statistical analysis was conducted with a significance level of p < 0.05. From a statistical and clinical perspective, Group B results were more significant. Improvements in both groups' handwriting and fine motor function were demonstrated by the improvement in the SHE (-0.82, p > 0.412) and MABC (-2.16, p < 0.031) scores.

Conclusion

This study concluded that leap motion technology significantly improved fine motor function and handwriting in children with developmental coordination disorder. Both groups improve children's academic achievement. The study's findings demonstrated the beneficial effects of LMC® on children's handwriting and fine motor skills.