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NCT Number: NCT07500896

Effects of an Intensive Rhythmic Dance Program on Learning Skills in Children With Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy is a neurological disorder that affects 1 in 1,000 children and causes motor disability , with sometimes sensorymotor disability which have consequences on daily life. The aim of rehabilitation for people with cerebral palsy is to improve patients' independence and quality of life. A major stake for these people is therefore to learn new behaviors by fostering motor, cognitive, and psychosocial development. Dance is a relevant activity, as it is a physical and enjoyable learning activity and a multisensory environment. Moreover, scientific literature suggests motor and psycho-affective benefits associated with dance practice in children with cerebral palsy, especially when it involves rhythmic stimulation. The aim of this project is therefore to assess the effect of a rhythm-based dance program on motor learning ability, as rhythmic auditory stimulation can improve motor control in patients with other neurological disorders (e.g., Thaut, 2015). We suppose that being able to synchronize through the practice of rhythmic dance could facilitate the learning of cognitive and psychosocial motor skills.

To reach this goal, we will conduct a Single Case Experimental Study (SCED). Using this individual analysis method, we will repeatedly evaluate a target behavior to determine whether a dance program facilitates motor, cognitive, and psychosocial learning for each participant.

The dance program will take place over two weeks. Three instructors will lead dance classes (two 2-hour sessions per day with breaks) during the first week, and three one-hour dance classes during the second week. Assessments will be conducted before (baseline, phase A), during (intervention, phase B), after the dance workshop (follow-up phase, FU), and far from it (final study visit).

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Key information

Conditions

Cerebral Palsy (CP) Brain Damage, Chronic Brain Diseases Central Nervous System Diseases Cerebral Palsy Nervous System Diseases

Age range

6 year–17 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Primary location

CHU Toulouse - Hôpital Raymonde Fournet

Toulouse, Occitanie, 31059, France

Location status: Recruiting

Location contact

Philippe MARQUE

PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Philippe Marque

CONTACT

[email protected]

+33 5 61 77 91 08

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Age between 6 and 17 years old
  • Diagnosis of cerebral palsy
  • Level I to IV on the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS, Palisano et al., 2008) : with or without an armchair
  • Level I to IV on the Manual Ability Classification System (MACS, Eliasson et al., 2006)
  • Affiliation with or beneficiary of a Social Security scheme
  • Ability to understand instructions (investigator's assessment)

Exclusion criteria

  • Autism spectrum disorder diagnosed according to DSM-5 criteria (APA, 2013)
  • Hearing impairment diagnosed according to DSM-5 criteria (APA, 2013) or uncorrected hearing impairment that prevents the individual from hearing music at a volume between 45 and 70 decibels
  • Visual impairment diagnosed according to DSM-5 criteria (APA, 2013) and uncorrected
  • Intellectual Developmental Disorder diagnosed according to DSM-5 criteria (APA, 2013)
  • Behavioral/conduct disorders diagnosed according to DSM-5 criteria (APA, 2013)
  • Child enrolled in a dance program specifically focused on rhythm
  • Child whose parents are both subject to legal protection measures (guardianship, curatorship, judicial protection)

Treatment and study plan

repeated assessments

Other

It is a multiple baseline SCED study with four successive phases (A-B-Follow UP) for each participant. Repeated assessments take place for 8 consecutive weeks, with the final assessments taking place up to one week after the end-of-year show

Primary outcomes

  1. Evolution of the Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS) score throughout the study

    Time frame: From baseline to the final study visit (up to approximately 9 weeks)

    The main criterion is the evolution of the Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS) score throughout the study. The GAS corresponds to the individual goals set with each child at the beginning of the study. Three individualized and specific goals will be defined for each child, covering motor, cognitive, and psychosocial domains. These measurements will be assessed repeatedly during the dance program: reference phase (baseline, phase A), during the dance program (intervention, phase B), and after the dance program (follow-up phase, FU), with a final assessment at a distance from the intervention phase (final study visit).

Secondary outcomes

  1. Intrinsic Motivation Inventory (IMI) scores

    Time frame: From baseline to the final study visit (up to approximately 9 weeks)

    Children's perceptions will be assessed using the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory adapted for children with cerebral palsy ). This questionnaire evaluates interest and enjoyment in performing an activity, skills involved perception, perceived value and activity usefulness, the feeling of freedom and choice, and perceived pressures and tensions. These measurements will be assessed repeatedly during the dance program: reference phase (baseline, phase A), during the dance program (intervention, phase B), and after the dance program (follow-up phase, FU), with a final assessment at a distance from the intervention phase (final study visit).

  2. Physical activity levels measured by heart rate monitoring

    Time frame: From baseline to the final study visit (up to approximately 9 weeks)

    Physical activity levels will be measured using a heart rate monitor. These measurements will be assessed repeatedly during phase A, during the dance program (phase B), and after the dance program (follow-up phase, FU). A final assessment will be conducted remotely after the intervention phase (final study visit).

  3. Socio-demographic characteristics

    Time frame: baseline

    Socio-demographic characteristics is a composite measure derived age, sex, practice habits (Physical Activity (PA), dance, PA related to rhythm) will be collected via an interview grid at the beginning of the study.

  4. Initial perceptions of the children

    Time frame: baseline

    The initial perceptions of the children and their parents regarding their self-image in relation to dance (perceived ability and expected progress) and the effects of the dance program will be collected at the beginning of the study using a semi-structured interview, and the evolution of these perceptions will be analyzed qualitatively

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University Hospital, Toulouse

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Effects of an Intensive Rhythmic Dance Program on Learning Ability in Children With Cerebral Palsy

Acronym: DANS-SCED

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Mar 30, 2026
Registry last updated
Mar 30, 2026

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

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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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