Effects Of DPPT On Motor Skills And Sleep In Children With Autism

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

Get a concise snapshot of the trial, including recruitment status, study phase, enrollment targets, and key timeline milestones.

Recruitment Status

RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

40 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2025-10-29

Study Completion Date

2026-01-30

Brief Summary

Review the sponsor-provided synopsis that highlights what the study is about and why it is being conducted.

It will be conducted as a Quasi Experimental study across pediatric therapy centers, specialized autism clinics, and special schools. Using non-probability convenience sampling, the study will enroll Autistic children aged 6-10 years who exhibit sensory processing difficulties, motor skill delays, and sleep disturbances. Exclusion criteria include other neurological or developmental disorders and children with major physical problems. Motor skills will be assessed with the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency (BOT-2), and sleep quality will be measured using the Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ).

Participants will be receiving Wilbarger DPPT along with their usual therapy sessions, which may include general occupational therapy, physical therapy, ABA etc. The DPPT intervention will occur three times per week for six weeks, with each session lasting approximately 30-45 minutes, including brushing, joint compressions, and calming activities. Data will be collected at baseline and post-intervention, focusing on motor skill improvement and sleep quality changes. SPSS version 23 will be used for statistical analysis.

Related Clinical Trials

Explore similar clinical trials based on study characteristics and research focus.

Study Comparing the Effects of SPM Techniques, Individually vs. Grouped in Children With ASD

NCT06661369

Autism Spectrum Disorder

RECRUITING NA

Effects of Rhythmic Balance Auditory Vision Training And Strength Training With Autism Spectrum Disorder.

NCT06308315

Autism Spectrum Disorder

COMPLETED NA

Impact of Sports Activity on Pragmatic Skills of Children

NCT04593576

Autistic Disorder of Childhood Onset With Full Syndrome

COMPLETED NA

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

NCT06943248

Autism Spectrum Disorder

NOT_YET_RECRUITING NA

Naturalistic Teaching Strategies in Children With Autism

NCT05359757

Autism Spectrum Disorder

COMPLETED NA

Detailed Description

Dive into the extended narrative that explains the scientific background, objectives, and procedures in greater depth.

Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) frequently experience sensory processing difficulties, where they may either overreact or underreact to sensory stimuli in their environment. This sensory deregulation can significantly impact essential functions, including motor skills and sleep quality, both0 crucial for overall development and day-to day engagement. Sensory Integration Therapy (SIT), is a well-established approach used to help individuals with sensory processing challenges. Ayres' work emphasized that when the brain effectively organizes sensory input, it can foster better behavioral and motor responses, leading to improved participation in daily activities. Various sensory-based interventions have been developed, including Wilbarger Deep Pressure and Proprioceptive Technique (DPPT). The Wilbarger protocol, or DPPT, is a specific approach using firm pressure and joint compressions at regular intervals, aiming to create a calming, organizing effect on the nervous system. The "brushing" aspect of this technique involves using a soft surgical brush over the skin to stimulate sensory receptors, followed by compressions to the joints, which is thought to help regulate sensory input and reduce sensory defensiveness. This study aims to assess the impact of DPPT on motor skills and sleep patterns in children with ASD, exploring whether DPPT can enhance functional motor skills and improve sleep quality.

It will be conducted as a Quasi Experimental study across pediatric therapy centers, specialized autism clinics, and special schools. Using non-probability convenience sampling, the study will enroll Autistic children aged 6-10 years who exhibit sensory processing difficulties, motor skill delays, and sleep disturbances. Exclusion criteria include other neurological or developmental disorders and children with major physical problems. Motor skills will be assessed with the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency (BOT-2), and sleep quality will be measured using the Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ).

Participants will be receiving Wilbarger DPPT along with their usual therapy sessions, which may include general occupational therapy, physical therapy, ABA etc. The DPPT intervention will occur three times per week for six weeks, with each session lasting approximately 30-45 minutes, including brushing, joint compressions, and calming activities. Data will be collected at baseline and post-intervention, focusing on motor skill improvement and sleep quality changes. SPSS version 23 will be used for statistical analysis.

Conditions

See the medical conditions and disease areas that this research is targeting or investigating.

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Study Design

Understand how the trial is structured, including allocation methods, masking strategies, primary purpose, and other design elements.

Allocation Method

NA

Intervention Model

SINGLE_GROUP

A quasi-experimental study will be conducted across pediatric therapy centers, autism clinics, and special schools using convenience sampling. Autistic children aged 6-10 years with sensory processing difficulties, motor delays, and sleep disturbances will be included, excluding those with other neurological or major physical disorders. Motor skills will be assessed using the BOT-2 and sleep quality with the CSHQ. Participants will receive the Wilbarger DPPT along with routine therapies (e.g., OT, PT, ABA) three times weekly for six weeks (30-45 min/session). Data will be collected at baseline and post-intervention to assess motor and sleep improvements. Statistical analysis will be performed using SPSS v23.

Primary Study Purpose

OTHER

Blinding Strategy

NONE

Participants will get separate treatment protocols and possible efforts will be put to mask the both group about the treatment.

Study Groups

Review each arm or cohort in the study, along with the interventions and objectives associated with them.

Intervention group

Participants will receive the Wilbarger Deep Pressure and Proprioceptive Technique (DPPT) along with their usual therapies (OT, PT, ABA) to improve sensory processing, motor skills, and sleep in children with ASD. Sessions will be conducted in a calm setting, with explanations provided to ensure comfort. The DPPT includes 5-10 minutes of deep-pressure brushing using a soft surgical brush on the arms, back, legs, and feet, followed by 5-10 minutes of gentle joint compressions on shoulders, elbows, knees, and ankles (3-5 seconds each). Calming activities like deep breathing or quiet play will follow to aid sensory integration. The intervention will occur thrice weekly for six weeks (30-45 minutes/session). Progress will be measured using BOT-2 for motor skills and CSHQ for sleep at baseline and post-intervention.

Group Type OTHER

Wilbarger Deep Pressure and Proprioceptive Technique (DPPT)

Intervention Type OTHER

Participants will receive the Wilbarger Deep Pressure and Proprioceptive Technique (DPPT). Each session will begin in a calm, quiet environment to reduce distractions, with the therapist explaining the process in simple terms. The brushing protocol involves using a soft surgical brush to apply firm yet gentle deep pressure to the arms, back, legs, and feet for about 5-10 minutes. This is followed by gentle joint compressions to the shoulders, elbows, knees, and ankles, each held for 3-5 seconds, lasting another 5-10 minutes. Afterward, calming activities such as deep breathing or quiet play help the child integrate the sensory input. The DPPT will be administered three times per week for six weeks, with each session lasting approximately 30-45 minutes, including brushing, joint compressions, and calming activities.

Interventions

Learn about the drugs, procedures, or behavioral strategies being tested and how they are applied within this trial.

Wilbarger Deep Pressure and Proprioceptive Technique (DPPT)

Participants will receive the Wilbarger Deep Pressure and Proprioceptive Technique (DPPT). Each session will begin in a calm, quiet environment to reduce distractions, with the therapist explaining the process in simple terms. The brushing protocol involves using a soft surgical brush to apply firm yet gentle deep pressure to the arms, back, legs, and feet for about 5-10 minutes. This is followed by gentle joint compressions to the shoulders, elbows, knees, and ankles, each held for 3-5 seconds, lasting another 5-10 minutes. Afterward, calming activities such as deep breathing or quiet play help the child integrate the sensory input. The DPPT will be administered three times per week for six weeks, with each session lasting approximately 30-45 minutes, including brushing, joint compressions, and calming activities.

Intervention Type OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

Check the participation requirements, including inclusion and exclusion rules, age limits, and whether healthy volunteers are accepted.

Inclusion Criteria

* Children diagnosed with Autism
* Both Genders Males and Females
* Age 6-11
* Autistic children diagnosed with sensory processing disorder and reported with motor skill delays and sleep disturbances.
* Children scoring within the "Definite Difference" range in sensory processing areas on the Sensory Profile 2.

Exclusion Criteria

* Children with other neurological or Developmental disorders
* No serious physical or behavioral impairments (blindness and deafness)
* Children with multiple diagnosis along with ASD.

Minimum Eligible Age

6 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

12 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No