Abstract/Summary

Background: Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), also known as dyspraxia, is characterised by motor skill impairments. The motor difficulties often produce negative effects in other areas of life, such as poor self-esteem and reduced social interactions. One treatment used for DCD is fascia Bowen therapy, which involves stimulating the fascia tissues of the body using finger and thumb rolling movements over the skin to improve overall muscle movement. However, no studies to date have been reported testing the effectiveness of fascia Bowen in DCD. Methods: The present pilot study tested the effectiveness of 6 weeks of fascia Bowen in 10 boys aged 8-11 years with DCD. None of the boys had ever received treatment in any form before this study. Motor skills were assessed using the Movement Assessment Battery for Children-2 (MABC-2) and the DCD questionnaire, and psycho-social functioning was measured using the Self-Perception Profile, Spence Social Skills Questionnaire, and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. All measures of interest were assessed before and after the therapy. Results: Results showed significant improvement in motor function post-intervention, with 60% of the children no longer clinically being classified as having a movement difficulty on the MABC-2. However, no significant improvements were seen in psycho-social measures. Conclusions: The current pilot study revealed improvements in motor functioning after fascia Bowen therapy across both performance and questionnaire measures, but improvements did not extend to wider areas. Further research in DCD is needed testing fascia Bowen in larger studies with expanded ages and both genders over longer periods.