A Handwriting Intervention Program for Children With Tic Disorders

The University of Alabama at Birmingham

Status: Completed

Conditions: Tourette Syndrome; Tic Disorders

Treatments: Other: Handwriting intervention

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT04246112

IRB-300003428

Departmental funding (Other Identifier)

Details and patient eligibility

About

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a computerized handwriting training protocol (MovAlyzeR), through daily practice of handwriting on an electronic device to improve handwriting skills in children with tic disorders (TD).

Full description

Handwriting is a functional skill underlying almost all academic performance of school-aged children, and handwriting impairment is highlighted by the World Health Organization as a barrier to school participation. The available evidence mentioned in the literature suggests handwriting skills are academically crucial, and handwriting deficits may lead to challenges in performing various academic activities both in and outside the classroom.

Given that children with TD are more likely to have handwriting deficits as suggested in a recent study, they are also more likely to have challenges in their academic performance and success as evidenced in the literature.

In the context of education, strong evidence indicated that handwriting has more cognitive and neurological benefits than using a keyboard when taking notes in the classroom. Therefore, reducing tics and improving handwriting skills rather than an adaptation approach using a word processor or computer may be the goal of intervention.

Results of the investigator's previous study showed that children with Tourette Syndrome (TS) or tic disorders (TD) demonstrated handwriting deficits when compared to the general children population, and were consistent with a recent study conducted in France showing that children with TS exhibited handwriting problems. In addition to illegibility issues in handwriting as indicated by the low score on the Test of handwriting skills (THS-R), children with TS or TD also demonstrated writing deficits in the areas of speed of writing and correct letter case formation.

Since handwriting deficit is an area of concern among children with TS or TD, one way to improve these children's handwriting skills is through handwriting practice. NeuroScript, LLC., has developed a software program (MovAlyzeR) that allows children to practice handwriting on an electronic device (such as tablet, laptop, etc). Given that the practice is completed on an electronic device with immediate feedback, this handwriting program may serve as a strong incentive to motivate children practicing handwriting. In order to provide evidence for the educators and therapists on the effectiveness of this software program, it is important to evaluate its effectiveness on improving handwriting skills among children with TS or TD.

Enrollment: 12 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 7 to 17 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Tourette syndrome
• Diagnosed tic disorder

Exclusion criteria

• Diagnosed anxiety disorder
• Diagnosed learning disability
• Diagnosed dysgraphia

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: N/A

Interventional model: Single Group Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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12 participants in 1 patient group

Treatment group

Experimental group

Description:

Participants are diagnosed with tic disorder and/or Tourette syndrome. They will undergo treatment to improve overall handwriting skills.

Treatment:

Other: Handwriting intervention