Study: Effects of a Collaborative Occupational Therapy Interactive Vaulting

NCT ID: NCT04481334

Last Updated: 2023-03-29

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: UNKNOWN
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 25 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2019-08-15
• Study Completion Date: 2024-05-31

Brief Summary

Occupational therapy services will be integrated into an interactive vaulting program which is an equine assisted activity. Children with disabilities ages 5-17 will participate. The objectives of this study are to determine the influence of a collaborative occupational therapy interactive vaulting program on the executive function and social participation in children with disabilities.

Detailed Description

Investment by researchers has been made, however, little research exists that systematically evaluates the effectiveness of occupational therapy (OT) interventions in equine assisted activities, and none have included interactive vaulting. Research that has been conducted has supported the use of equines in OT treatment sessions (hippotherapy) in increasing length of time engaged in activities, compared to conventional therapy as well as improvements in postural sway, adaptive behaviors, and participation. In addition, it has been found that children with visual impairments who participated in a 6-week EAT program demonstrated clinically significant changes in occupational performance and qualitative themes of peer interaction, taking on challenges and overall satisfaction with the program.

The gaps in research warrant investigation into the efficacy of this intervention in the development of executive functioning and social skills in children with disabilities. Further research needs to be conducted to determine the effectiveness of occupational therapy in this context. Occupational therapy interventions will be integrated into the existing program. Group interventions will target the emotional awareness and regulation, social skills, and use cognitive strategies to improve social interactions with peers and adults.

Conditions

Executive Function; Social Interaction; Disability, Developmental

Study Design

• Allocation Method: NA
• Intervention Model: SINGLE_GROUP
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: NONE

Study Groups

One group

One group pre-test, post-test design

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Collaborative occupational therapy interactive vaulting group

Intervention Type: OTHER

Children will participate in a weekly 60 minute group that focuses on the devilment of social skills by incorporating activities that require team work. Part of the intervention will incorporate the equine to better understand non-verbal body language. It should be noted that each child will have two agreed upon goals developed that are agreed upon by the child and the parent and will be of emphasis during each group.

Interventions

Collaborative occupational therapy interactive vaulting group

Children will participate in a weekly 60 minute group that focuses on the devilment of social skills by incorporating activities that require team work. Part of the intervention will incorporate the equine to better understand non-verbal body language. It should be noted that each child will have two agreed upon goals developed that are agreed upon by the child and the parent and will be of emphasis during each group.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

Children must:

• have a documented developmental disability
• be eligible only to participate in equine assisted activities.
• be ambulatory with or without an assistive device
• be able to follow 2-3 step directions
• not be aggressive toward animals, peers, or staff

Exclusion Criteria

Children who:

• do not have a documented developmental disability
• are ONLY eligible for equine assisted therapy because of significant physical and/ or medical limitations (i.e.: occupational, physical, or speech therapy).
• are non-ambulatory
• are unable to follow 2-3 step directions
• are aggressive towards animals, peers, or staff
• does not have a developmental disorder (i.e.: has only mental health disorder)

• Minimum Eligible Age: 5 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 17 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

East Carolina University

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Responsibility Role: SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

Heather Panczykowski, DHSc, OTR/L

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

East Carolina University

Locations

Moonbeams and Miracles Therapeutic Horsemanship Center

Greenville, North Carolina, United States

Site Status: RECRUITING

Countries

United States

Central Contacts

Heather Panczykowski, DHSc, OTR/L

Role: CONTACT

panczykowskih17@ecu.edu

252 744 6194

Denise Donica, DHSc, OTR/L

Role: CONTACT

donicad@ecu.edu

2527446198

Facility Contacts

Sherri Moore, AS

Role: primary

sherrimoore119@gmail.com

252-414-7815

Ashlyn Batten, MA

Role: backup

919 454 3092

Other Identifiers

UMCIRB 18-001488

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id