Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) is a common condition in children that affects their ability to coordinate movements and timing. Research has shown that problems with tracking and synchronizing movements to rhythms are common in various motor disorders. Research in a recent article in Scientific Reports with Laurel Trainor (pictured) aims to see if children with DCD also have these rhythm-related problems.
In a speech recognition test without any physical movement, children at risk for DCD had more trouble when the speech rhythm was changed compared to children without DCD. In tapping tasks, children at risk for DCD generally performed worse, but their tapping was more consistent when they heard a regular beat from a metronome or music.
The ability to recognize rhythm changes in speech and to tap consistently was linked to their performance on a standard motor skills test. These findings suggest that regular auditory rhythms can help improve both perception and movement coordination in children at risk for DCD. This could lead to new treatments using rhythmic sounds to help children with DCD improve their motor skills.
Publication
Auditory rhythm facilitates perception and action in children at risk for developmental coordination disorder. PMID: 38806554DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-62322-6