The Use of Telerehabilitation to Improve Motor Skills and Participation in Children With Developmental Disorders

NCT ID: NCT06977256

Last Updated: 2025-06-03

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 20 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2023-07-20
• Study Completion Date: 2024-12-20

Brief Summary

This randomized controlled trial aimed to compare the effects of a traditional sensory-based intervention and a telerehabilitation-based sensory intervention in children aged 3-7 years diagnosed with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD). Participants were randomly assigned to either face-to-face or combined face-to-face and telerehabilitation groups. The outcome measures included occupational performance, sensory processing, and functional independence. The study was conducted with ethical approval, and informed consent was obtained from all legal guardians.

Detailed Description

This single-blind, parallel-group randomized controlled trial aimed to compare the effects of a traditional face-to-face sensory-based intervention and a telerehabilitation-based sensory intervention in children aged 3-7 years diagnosed with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD). A total of 22 participants were randomized into two groups: the Sensory-Based Intervention (SBI) group and the Telerehabilitation-Based Sensory Intervention (TBSI) group.

The SBI group received weekly 40-minute in-person sessions for 8 weeks. The TBSI group received the same 8-week in-person intervention followed by 8 weeks of weekly 30-minute telerehabilitation sessions delivered via Zoom. Both interventions included structured sensory activities tailored to each child's developmental level.

Primary and secondary outcomes were measured before and after the intervention using the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM), the Dunn Sensory Profile Parent Questionnaire, and the Functional Independence Measure for Children (WeeFIM). The study followed CONSORT guidelines and ethical approval was obtained. Written informed consent was provided by all legal guardians.

Conditions

Developmental Coordination Disorder; Telerehabilitation; Exercise; Occupational Therapy

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: OTHER
• Blinding Strategy: SINGLE

Study Groups

Sensory-Based Intervention Group

For the Sensory-Based Intervention Group, participants received a 40-minute face-to-face session once a week for 8 weeks, consisting of structured exercise and sensory-based interventions. Sessions were conducted in a therapy room equipped with sensory and activity materials.

At the end of each session, caregivers were provided with feedback, their questions were addressed, and individualized home assignments were given. The intervention program for each child was tailored to their individual needs, and the progression of activities was personalized and adjusted based on each child's performance and development throughout the study.

Group Type: ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Sensory-Based Exercises

Intervention Type: OTHER

Participants in the Sensory-Based Intervention Group received weekly 40-minute face-to-face sessions for 8 weeks, involving structured exercise and sensory-based activities tailored to individual needs, with caregiver feedback and home programs provided after each session.

Telerehabilitation-Based Sensory Intervention Group

For the Telerehabilitation-Based Sensory Intervention Group, participants received 40-minute in-person sensory-based sessions once a week for 8 weeks, followed by 30-minute telerehabilitation sessions once a week for an additional 8 weeks. Telerehabilitation was delivered via Zoom using a webcam-equipped computer.

The online sessions were designed as a continuation of the face-to-face intervention and included individualized activity plans, caregiver coaching, home program recommendations, and ergonomic adjustments. Caregivers were informed in advance about required materials and setup. Each session was adapted to the child's developmental level, with activities progressively structured from simple to complex.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Sensory-Based Exercises

Intervention Type: OTHER

Participants in the Sensory-Based Intervention Group received weekly 40-minute face-to-face sessions for 8 weeks, involving structured exercise and sensory-based activities tailored to individual needs, with caregiver feedback and home programs provided after each session.

Telerehabilitation and Based Sensory Intervention

Intervention Type: OTHER

Participants in the Telerehabilitation-Based Sensory Intervention Group received 8 weeks of in-person sessions followed by 8 weeks of weekly 30-minute telerehabilitation sessions, combining individualized sensory-based activities with caregiver coaching and home-based implementation via Zoom. Sessions were personalized, progressively structured, and conducted in a stable virtual environment to support continuity and engagement.

Interventions

Sensory-Based Exercises

Participants in the Sensory-Based Intervention Group received weekly 40-minute face-to-face sessions for 8 weeks, involving structured exercise and sensory-based activities tailored to individual needs, with caregiver feedback and home programs provided after each session.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Telerehabilitation and Based Sensory Intervention

Participants in the Telerehabilitation-Based Sensory Intervention Group received 8 weeks of in-person sessions followed by 8 weeks of weekly 30-minute telerehabilitation sessions, combining individualized sensory-based activities with caregiver coaching and home-based implementation via Zoom. Sessions were personalized, progressively structured, and conducted in a stable virtual environment to support continuity and engagement.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• Having a neurodevelopmental disorder with a confirmed diagnosis of one of the following: autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability, developmental delay, communication disorder, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Absence of any condition that may interfere with cooperation during the study
• Receiving occupational therapy training for a duration between 3 months and 1 year to ensure group homogeneity in terms of prior therapy experience

Exclusion Criteria

• Presence of any visual or hearing impairment that could affect study outcomes
• Having any systemic disease
• Having a physical disability that may interfere with movement or motor function

• Minimum Eligible Age: 3 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 7 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

Istanbul Medipol University Hospital

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

burak menek

Principal Investigator

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

Mazlum Uruc, MSc

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Medipol University

Locations

Günışığı Counseling Center and Istanbul Medipol University

Istanbul, Beykoz, Turkey (Türkiye)

Countries

Turkey (Türkiye)

References

Uruc M, Menek B. The effect of telerehabilitation on activity performance and participation in daily life in children with developmental coordination disorder: A randomized controlled trial. PLoS One. 2025 Aug 21;20(8):e0330846. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0330846. eCollection 2025.

Reference Type: DERIVED

PMID: 40839575 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

10840098-772.02-4262-587

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id