Pediatric Aquatic Occupational Therapy for Children With Sensory Processing Challenges

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Autism Spectrum Disorder; ADHD; Sensory Processing Disorder
• Interventions: Other: aquatic occupational therapy

• Registration Number: NCT06484946
• Lead Sponsor: Kristen Pataki

Brief Summary

Children with sensory processing challenges participated in an 8-week play-based aquatic program addressing goals on behavior, sensory, and participation. It is expected that after the 8-week group, the child's goals will improve demonstrating an effective intervention to address sensory difficulties.

Detailed Description

This study examined the effectiveness of an aquatic OT program for children with sensory processing difficulties to develop water readiness skills and improve sensory, behavior, and engagement goals. Six groups of children with deficits in various sensory systems participated in an 8-week aquatic group led by an occupational therapist and occupational therapy students. Each week consisted of a 45-minute aquatic group with a 5 min warmup on land, 30 mins of aquatic activities addressing the sensory system of the week, and 10 mins addressing a social activity with peers. Goals were developed and assessed via the Goal Attainment Scale (GAS). Parents of the participants were given the Sensory Processing Measure (SPM-2) before beginning. As a result of participating in the aquatic OT intervention, percentage of goals achieved will be analyzed. It is expected that this program proves to be beneficial and therefore aquatic OT shows potential for improving sensory processing skills, behavior, and social participation with peers.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2019-02-19
• Primary Completion: 2024-04-09
• Study Completion: 2024-04-09
• Study First Submitted: 2024-06-26
• Status Verified: 2024-07
• Study First Submitted QC: 2024-07-01
• Last Update Submitted: 2024-07-01
• Study First Posted: 2024-07-03
• Last Update Posted: 2024-07-03

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 35

Inclusion Criteria

• Participants must be ages 4-9 years old
• have an identified sensory processing problem as related on the SPM assessment
• able to maintain head, neck, and trunk control
• able to follow 1-2 step directions

Exclusion Criteria

• Participants younger than 4 years old and older than 9 years old
• requires lift to get in the water
• difficulty with following 1-step directions

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: SINGLE_GROUP

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Aquatic occupational therapy	aquatic occupational therapy	Each child participated and experienced occupational therapy in the water.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS)	Scores were tracked weekly for 8 weeks of each program.	Goals were written on behavior, engagement/participation, and sensory on a scale from -2 (worse outcome) to +2 (better outcome). Each week scores on each goal were documented.
Parent Surveys	Parents were given a post-survey at the 8th week.	Survey with quantitative and qualitative questions about their child's experience and differences seen in the aquatic group

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Sensory Processing Measure (SPM: Preschool version: SPM-P, newer edition: SPM-2) Assessment Scores	Parents completed SPM on their child before the 8-week group began.	Assessment given to parents to fill out before their child could start the aquatic group. Gives information on different sensory systems. Categories are: vision, hearing, touch, taste and smell, body awareness, balance and motion, sensory total, planning and ideas, and social participation. Interpretive range is: Typical, Moderate difficulties, and Severe difficulties.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Seven Hills Recreation Center; 🇺🇸 Seven Hills, Ohio, United States