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Completed

NCT Number: NCT05524753

Active Ingredients & Efficacy of Aquatic Therapy for Autistic Children

Accidental drowning is the number one cause of death in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and highlights the critical need for swim lessons and water safety training for this population. Our team has developed and tested an innovative, occupational therapy (OT) based aquatic program - AquOTic - that provides preliminary support for the use of an individualized swim skills training intervention in children with ASD. The AquOTic program uses a combination of sensory, motor learning, and behavioral approaches to improve water safety and swim skills. In this study, we will use a randomized control trial design to identify the efficacy of the AquOTic intervention to improve swim performance in children with ASD.

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Key information

Conditions

Autism Spectrum Disorder Child Development Disorders, Pervasive Mental Disorders Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Age range

5 year–9 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

The Ohio State University

Columbus, Ohio, 43210, United States

About this study

Once enrolled, children will be randomized to one of three groups. Group A will receive the intervention right away. Group B will use a waitlist control for 10 weeks, then will receive the intervention. Group C will be a control group, and will be offered the intervention at the end of the control period. Each group will have 12 participants.

AquOTic a group based aquatic occupational therapy intervention that uses evidence-based therapeutic teaching techniques including therapeutic relationship, grading of activities, shaping, positive reinforcement and individualized goals to direct the intervention.

We will also develop a fidelity measure to operationalize the therapeutic strategies and quantify the active ingredients of the AquOTic program. Our long-term goal is to create evidence for an OT-based swim intervention for children with ASD that has the potential to decrease the drowning risk in this population.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • pre-existing diagnosis of autism & interest in learning to swim

Exclusion criteria

  • able to float or move through the water for 5-10 feet without assistance.
  • presence of compromised airway such as trachea or ventilation system
  • other contraindication to submersion in water.

Treatment and study plan

AquOTic

Behavioral

group-based aquatic occupational therapy sessions with 1:1 support

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in swim skills

    Time frame: baseline, pre-intervention; immediately after the intervention

    change in swim skills using Water Orientation Test-Alyn. A higher score means a better outcome. Minimum score 0, maximum score 71.

  2. Questionnaire to track change in parent perception and satisfaction with progress on individualized family-centered goals

    Time frame: pre intervention, immediately after the intervention

    Canadian Occupational Performance Measure to establish goals with parents and track performance and satisfaction with goals. A higher score indicates higher parent satisfaction and child performance on the goals.

  3. Parent Perspective

    Time frame: one time after at least 8 hours of the intervention has been provided to the child

    qualitative interview regarding parent perspective of the intervention

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Ohio State University

Other

Collaborators

  • American Occupational Therapy Foundation

Registry information

Official study title

Active Ingredients & Efficacy of AquOTic: Aquatic Occupational Therapy for Children on the Autism Spectrum

Important dates

Study start
2022
Primary completion
2023
Study completion
2023
First posted
Sep 1, 2022
Registry last updated
Oct 24, 2023

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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