Active Ingredients & Efficacy of Aquatic Therapy for Autistic Children

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Interventions: Behavioral: AquOTic

• Registration Number: NCT05524753
• Lead Sponsor: Ohio State University

Brief Summary

Accidental drowning is the number one cause of death in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and highlights the critical need for swim lessons and water safety training for this population. Our team has developed and tested an innovative, occupational therapy (OT) based aquatic program - AquOTic - that provides preliminary support for the use of an individualized swim skills training intervention in children with ASD. The AquOTic program uses a combination of sensory, motor learning, and behavioral approaches to improve water safety and swim skills. In this study, we will use a randomized control trial design to identify the efficacy of the AquOTic intervention to improve swim performance in children with ASD.

Detailed Description

Once enrolled, children will be randomized to one of three groups. Group A will receive the intervention right away. Group B will use a waitlist control for 10 weeks, then will receive the intervention. Group C will be a control group, and will be offered the intervention at the end of the control period. Each group will have 12 participants.

AquOTic a group based aquatic occupational therapy intervention that uses evidence-based therapeutic teaching techniques including therapeutic relationship, grading of activities, shaping, positive reinforcement and individualized goals to direct the intervention.

We will also develop a fidelity measure to operationalize the therapeutic strategies and quantify the active ingredients of the AquOTic program. Our long-term goal is to create evidence for an OT-based swim intervention for children with ASD that has the potential to decrease the drowning risk in this population.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2022-08-04
• Study First Submitted: 2022-08-30
• Study First Submitted QC: 2022-08-31
• Study First Posted: 2022-09-01
• Primary Completion: 2023-08-01
• Study Completion: 2023-08-01
• Status Verified: 2023-10
• Last Update Submitted: 2023-10-23
• Last Update Posted: 2023-10-24

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 37

Inclusion Criteria

• pre-existing diagnosis of autism & interest in learning to swim

Exclusion Criteria

• able to float or move through the water for 5-10 feet without assistance.
• presence of compromised airway such as trachea or ventilation system
• other contraindication to submersion in water.

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
AquOTic	AquOTic	Dose of 10 weeks of aquatic occupational therapy

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Change in swim skills	baseline, pre-intervention; immediately after the intervention	change in swim skills using Water Orientation Test-Alyn. A higher score means a better outcome. Minimum score 0, maximum score 71.
Questionnaire to track change in parent perception and satisfaction with progress on individualized family-centered goals	pre intervention, immediately after the intervention	Canadian Occupational Performance Measure to establish goals with parents and track performance and satisfaction with goals. A higher score indicates higher parent satisfaction and child performance on the goals.
Parent Perspective	one time after at least 8 hours of the intervention has been provided to the child	qualitative interview regarding parent perspective of the intervention

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

The Ohio State University; 🇺🇸 Columbus, Ohio, United States