Skip to main content
OpenTrials
Completed

NCT Number: NCT06484946

Pediatric Aquatic Occupational Therapy for Children With Sensory Processing Challenges

Children with sensory processing challenges participated in an 8-week play-based aquatic program addressing goals on behavior, sensory, and participation. It is expected that after the 8-week group, the child's goals will improve demonstrating an effective intervention to address sensory difficulties.

Completed

Looking for future studies?

Notify Me

Key information

Conditions

Sensory Processing Disorder ADHD Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders Autism Spectrum Disorder Child Development Disorders, Pervasive Mental Disorders Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Age range

4 year–9 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Seven Hills Recreation Center

Seven Hills, Ohio, 44131, United States

About this study

This study examined the effectiveness of an aquatic OT program for children with sensory processing difficulties to develop water readiness skills and improve sensory, behavior, and engagement goals. Six groups of children with deficits in various sensory systems participated in an 8-week aquatic group led by an occupational therapist and occupational therapy students. Each week consisted of a 45-minute aquatic group with a 5 min warmup on land, 30 mins of aquatic activities addressing the sensory system of the week, and 10 mins addressing a social activity with peers. Goals were developed and assessed via the Goal Attainment Scale (GAS). Parents of the participants were given the Sensory Processing Measure (SPM-2) before beginning. As a result of participating in the aquatic OT intervention, percentage of goals achieved will be analyzed. It is expected that this program proves to be beneficial and therefore aquatic OT shows potential for improving sensory processing skills, behavior, and social participation with peers.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Participants must be ages 4-9 years old
  • have an identified sensory processing problem as related on the SPM assessment
  • able to maintain head, neck, and trunk control
  • able to follow 1-2 step directions

Exclusion criteria

  • Participants younger than 4 years old and older than 9 years old
  • requires lift to get in the water
  • difficulty with following 1-step directions

Treatment and study plan

aquatic occupational therapy

Other

Each week, the children participated in a 45-minute aquatic occupational therapy group that consisted of warmup on land, 30 mins of sensory activities in the water, and 10 mins of social activity in the water

Other names: occupational therapy, aquatic therapy, social participation

Primary outcomes

  1. Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS)

    Time frame: Scores were tracked weekly for 8 weeks of each program.

    Goals were written on behavior, engagement/participation, and sensory on a scale from -2 (worse outcome) to +2 (better outcome). Each week scores on each goal were documented.

  2. Parent Surveys

    Time frame: Parents were given a post-survey at the 8th week.

    Survey with quantitative and qualitative questions about their child's experience and differences seen in the aquatic group

Secondary outcomes

  1. Sensory Processing Measure (SPM: Preschool version: SPM-P, newer edition: SPM-2) Assessment Scores

    Time frame: Parents completed SPM on their child before the 8-week group began.

    Assessment given to parents to fill out before their child could start the aquatic group. Gives information on different sensory systems. Categories are: vision, hearing, touch, taste and smell, body awareness, balance and motion, sensory total, planning and ideas, and social participation. Interpretive range is: Typical, Moderate difficulties, and Severe difficulties.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Kristen Pataki

Other

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2019
Primary completion
2024
Study completion
2024
First posted
Jul 3, 2024
Registry last updated
Jul 3, 2024

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.

Related clinical trials

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.