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Completed

NCT Number: NCT02904980

The Effects of a Group-based Gaze Training Intervention for Children With Developmental Coordination Disorder

The aim of this study was to integrate a gaze training intervention (i.e., quiet eye training; QET) that has been shown to improve the throwing and catching skill of children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), within an approach (i.e., group therapy) that might alleviate the psychosocial influence of these motor skill deficits.

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Key information

Conditions

Developmental Coordination Disorder Mental Disorders Motor Skills Disorders Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Age range

7 year–11 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Manchester Metropolitan University

Crewe, Cheshire, CW1 5DU, United Kingdom

About this study

Children with DCD will be randomly split into either QET group or a technical training (TT). The TT group will be given movement-related instructions via video, relating to the throw and catch phases, while the QET group will also be taught to fixate a target location on the wall prior to the throw (QE1) and to track the ball prior to the catch (QE2). Each group will take part in a 4- week, group therapy intervention and measurements of QE duration obtained from a mobile eye tracking system and catching performance are to be taken before and after training, and at a 6-week delayed retention test. Parental feedback on psychosocial and motor skill outcomes will also be collected at delayed retention.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Prior diagnosis of Developmental Coordination Disorder or suspected to have DCD
  • Scores below the 5th percentile on the MABC-2 (Movement Assessment Battery for Children-2)
  • Be of normal intelligence (assessed through parent/teacher feedback)
  • No neurological disorder
  • Normal of corrected-to-normal vision

Exclusion criteria

  • Score over 5th Percentile on the MABC-2
  • Suffers from a neurological disorder
  • Below average intelligence
  • Any visual impairment

Treatment and study plan

Technical Training

Behavioral

Children will watch an instructional video focused on movement related instructions regarding the throwing and catching task.

Quiet Eye Training

Behavioral

Children will watch the same video as the TT group but will also receive instructions designed to optimise their quiet eye durations.

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in Catching Success

    Time frame: From Baseline to after a 4 week training period, and after 6-week delayed retention test

    How many balls the participants catch out of 50 attempts

  2. Changes in the qualitative catching performance scale score

    Time frame: From Baseline to after a 4 week training period, and after 6-week delayed retention test

    The qualitative catching performance scale consisted of an 11-point scale whereby catch attempts were given a score between '0' (Makes no move towards the ball as it comes back) and '10' (The catch is made exclusively with the palms and fingers).

  3. Changes in Quiet Eye durations

    Time frame: From Baseline to after a 4 week training period, and after 6-week delayed retention test

    Changes in participants eye-movements

Secondary outcomes

  1. Changes 3D Movement Kinematics

    Time frame: From Baseline to after a 4 week training period, and after 6-week delayed retention test

    Changes in joint angles related to the throwing movement

  2. Changes in Muscular Activity (EMG)

    Time frame: From Baseline to after a 4 week training period, and after 6-week delayed retention test

    Changes in muscular activity related to the throwing task

  3. Parental Perceptions of Motor Skill Improvements

    Time frame: End of the study (approximately 12 weeks after baseline testing)

    Parent feedback will be gathered using a short answer questionnaire.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Manchester Metropolitan University

Other

Collaborators

  • Liverpool Hope University
  • The Waterloo Foundation
  • University of Calgary
  • University of Exeter

Registry information

Official study title

A Randomised Controlled Trial of a Group-based, Gaze Training Intervention for Children With Developmental Coordination Disorder

Important dates

Study start
2015
Primary completion
2015
Study completion
2015
First posted
Sep 19, 2016
Registry last updated
Sep 19, 2016

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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