Atypical implicit procedural learning of adults with developmental coordination disorder: Evidence involving the modulation of cortical power

This study aimed to explore the implicit procedural learning and associated neural oscillatory activities in adults with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) using electroencephalography (EEG). The sample consisted of 22 adults with DCD (14 females) and 22 age-matched controls (11 females), aged 18–21 years. Participants engaged in a modified Serial Reaction Time Task (SRTT) designed to assess implicit sequence learning. Behavioral results did not show significant differences in reaction times or speed-accuracy trade-off indices between the DCD and control groups, suggesting that implicit sequence learning might not be impaired in adults with DCD. However, EEG analysis revealed marked differences in theta oscillation energies; notably, the DCD group displayed higher theta amplitudes in the frontal region and delayed peaks in frontal-region theta bands compared to controls. These findings suggest that while behavioral performance might appear typical, the underlying neural processes in the DCD group are significantly different and underscore procedural learning deficits in adults with DCD. The results enrich our understanding of the neural underpinnings of DCD and offer insights for devising targeted interventions to improve procedural learning abilities in affected individuals.