Research Perspectives on Motor Imagery for Advancing Rehabilitation for Motor Skills in Children with Developmental Coordination Disorder

Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) is a prevalent neurodevelopmental condition in children which manifests as a marked impairment in the acquisition and execution of coordinated motor abilities. In recent years, Motor Imagery (MI), as a cognitive rehabilitation training method, has garnered considerable attention due to its ability to activate brain region networks similar to those involved in actual movement. It is considered to hold great potential for improving motor skills in children with DCD. This study aims to systematically review the literature to evaluate the effects of motor imagery training on motor abilities (specifically gross motor, fine motor, and balance skills) in children with DCD, and to explore the relative effectiveness of different intervention models (such as MI alone, action observation combined with MI [AOMI], and MI combined with physical practice [MI+PP]).