Effect of Trunk Support on Academic Engagement of Children With Severe Disability

NCT ID: NCT05391594

Last Updated: 2022-05-26

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 10 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2018-05-31
• Study Completion Date: 2019-10-03

Brief Summary

This study evaluates the effect of optimizing trunk support based on segmental principles of trunk control, on academic engagement of children in academic settings.

Detailed Description

Head and trunk posture control are foundational skills, impacting vision, communication, swallowing, eating, reaching, and gait. Vision, communication and upper extremity skills are critical for participation in educational settings. From an academic point of view, participants with poor trunk stability have difficulties staying erect and keeping their head and trunk steady. This interferes with concentration, reduces ability and aptitude for learning and can lead to fatigue and reduced time on task. Examination of the effect of optimal trunk support may yield critical information regarding academic engagement in children with moderate to severe disability.

The investigators propose to facilitate use of a segmental approach by physical and occupational therapists in educational settings. Activities will include identifying level of trunk control and applying segmental principles to adapt participant's positioning devices for optimal function.

Conditions

Cerebral Palsy; Traumatic Brain Injury; Metabolic Disease; Hypotonia

Study Design

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

Study Groups

Single Subject Design

The investigators will use a longitudinal design with baseline, immediate and post-intervention data collections. The intervention will include customized posture support in seated, standing or walking devices that will be used in the child's educational setting or home (for early intervention) to facilitate specific educational activities.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

customized posture support

Intervention Type: DEVICE

We will provide customized modifications for seated or standing or walking devices based on the child's segmental level of control

Interventions

customized posture support

We will provide customized modifications for seated or standing or walking devices based on the child's segmental level of control

Intervention Type: DEVICE

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• Referral from physical, occupational or speech therapist working in Hartford Public School District or Connecticut Birth to Three,
• Segmental deficit in trunk control as measured by Segmental Assessment of Trunk Control
• parent or guardian consent that includes permission for video data collection and sharing of IEP (individualized education plan) or IFSP (individualized family support plan).

Exclusion Criteria

• pain that interferes with positioning,
• impending surgery that will result in extended absence from school

• Minimum Eligible Age: 3 Months
• Maximum Eligible Age: 21 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

University of Hartford

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Responsibility Role: SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

Sandra Saavedra

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

University of Hartford

Locations

Children's Therapy Services, Connecticut Birth to Three

Cheshire, Connecticut, United States

Hartford Public Schools

Hartford, Connecticut, United States

CREC, Connecticut Birth to Three

Wethersfield, Connecticut, United States

Countries

United States

Other Identifiers

PRO18010001

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id