EDKP 447

Current Therapeutic Techniques

There is no gold standard when it comes to therapeutic treatments for static balance in DCD. According to a meta-analysis of the treatments for DCD, it was found that physical therapy (PT) and occupational therapy (OT) were deemed to be the most effective and in consequence, the ones that are most commonly applied (Smits-Engelsman et al, 2012). Physical therapists and occupational therapists work on balance rehabilitation, as well as, help people with DCD improve their motor and sensory strategies. The balance tests done usually have the primary goal of testing the limits of stability (Westcott et al., 1997). Examples of static balance exercises that are given to DCD children include; two-legged stance, one legged stance and standing still with feet together. These exercises are given to reduce their sway and improve their static balance. Also, PT and OT help DCD children integrate sensory information more efficiently by providing situations where they need to compensate for the loss of a system (Smits-Engelsman et al, 2012). These professionals also give exercises to DCD children that include different bases of support and exercises with no visual feedback.  A patient who participates in therapy sessions at a rate of three to five times per week shows the greatest improvement in comparison to those who attend one session a week (Smits-Engelsman et al, 2012). Further, DCD children are usually diagnosed with other disorders on top of their DCD diagnosis. Doctors must also be able to properly prescribe appropriate medications and/or psychiatric therapy.

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