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NCT Number: NCT06943248

Sand Play vs. Cuff Training: Visual-Motor Skills in Autism

This study compares Image-Sand Play Therapy and Tabletop Training with Weighted Cuffs for improving Visual-Motor Integration (VMI) in children with autism. A 12-week randomized controlled trial will be conducted at Tanzeem-ul-Nisan, Faisalabad. Beery VMI will assess outcomes. Data will be analyzed using SPSS-23. Non-probability conventional sampling will be used. Sessions occur twice weekly.

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Key information

Conditions

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

Age range

5 year–8 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

About this study

This study compares the effectiveness of Image-Sand Play Therapy and Tabletop Training with Weighted Cuffs in improving Visual-Motor Integration (VMI) in children with autism.

Methods: A randomized controlled trial will be conducted with children diagnosed with autism from Tanzeem-ul-Nisan, Faisalabad. Participants will be randomly assigned to either intervention group. Both therapies will run for 12 weeks, with two sessions per week.

Image-Sand Play Therapy: Creative sand tray play guided by a therapist.

Tabletop Training: Structured tasks with weighted cuffs for proprioceptive input.

Assessment Tool: Beery VMI

Sampling: Non-probability conventional sampling

Data Analysis: SPSS version 23, using baseline, mid, and post-intervention scores to compare effectiveness.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

Age 5-8 yrs

A diagnosed by Autism
Guardian of child patients signed the informed consent
Both gender male and female

Exclusion criteria

Complication of serious medical disease

Children and parents who cannot comply with the research
Surgical procedures performed in the year prior to the study
Poor medical conditions preventing participation

Treatment and study plan

Image-Sand Play Therapy

Other

Over the course of seven sessions, the child initially engaged in chaotic sandbox play, showing difficulty in altering or organizing his scenes. By the fourth session, he began experimenting with different symbols, including familiar TV characters. From the fifth session onward, his play gained structure, evolving into strategic battle scenarios involving animals, loggers, and castles. By the seventh session, hero figures emerged, and the therapist noted improved classroom behavior and cooperation, though social challenges with peers remained.

Table Top Training Program with Weighted Cuff

Other

Task include: Stacking cones Lift a cone with one hand and stack it on top of a fixed cone. (The difficulty level was controlled by using resistance bands of varying weights or instructing patients to sit or stand while performing the task.) Task Therapy Program Stacking 3 × 3 cm blocks Pick up blocks one at a time by using one hand and stack them. (The difficulty level was controlled by using resistance bands of varying weights.) Tailwind Use both hands to push the handles of an instrument up and down to the sounds of a metronome.

(The difficulty level was controlled by varying the angle.) Pinch exerciser Take a pinch pin and put it on a rod. (The difficulty level was controlled by varying the resistance of the pinch pin (5 grades) and the diameter of the rod (3 grades).) O'Connor Tweezer Dexterity Test Pick up a pin (2.5 cm long) and put it in a 15 mm hole. (The difficulty level was controlled by using different tweezers.)

Primary outcomes

Berry Visual Motor Integration

Time frame: Baseline,4th week, 8th week and 12th week

The Beery-Buktenica Developmental Test of Visual-Motor Integration (Beery VMI) is the gold standard for identifying difficulties in the coordination of visual and motor skills in adults and children. The Beery VMI based on the construction of test items, the Beery VMI has strong construct validity and strong predictive validity for academic outcomes. Visual motor Coordination takes around 10-15 min. The task is completed in three minutes. Excellent test-retest reliability (0.84-0.88)(16) Interrater reliability of (0.90 0.98). Internal consistency (0.81-0.82)
Nine Hole Peg Board

Time frame: Baseline, 4th week ,8th week and 12th week

The Nine Hole Test (9HPT) is used to measure finger dexterity in patients with various neurological diagnoses(18, 19). Table (wooden or plastic): with 9 holes (diameter 10 mm, depth 15 mm) separated by 32 mm or 50 mm(20). Stick container: a square box (100 x 100 x 10 mm) separate from the boards or a shallow round container on top of the board. 9 pins (diameter 7 mm, length 32 mm)(21). Stopwatch Instruct the patient to remove the needles one by one from the container and insert them into the holes in the plate as quickly as possible, using only their hands. Ask the patient to remove the needles one by one from the holes and return them to the container. Excellent Test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.85). Excellent interrater reliability for the right hand (r = 0.984) and the left hand (r = 0.993) (22).

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

MRAN AMJAD, PhD

CONTACT

[email protected]

033224390125

Muhammad Asif Javed, MS-PPT

CONTACT

[email protected]

03224209422

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Riphah International University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Effects of Image-Sand Play Therapy Versus Table Top Training Program With Weighted Cuffs on Visual Motor Integration in Children With Autism

Important dates

Study start: 2025
Primary completion: 2025
Study completion: 2025
First posted: Apr 24, 2025
Registry last updated: Apr 24, 2025

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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