Art and Physical Therapy in Pediatric HCT

Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC)

Status: Enrolling

Conditions: Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation; Art Therapy; Physical Therapy

Treatments: Behavioral: Physical Therapy; Behavioral: Art and Physical Therapy

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other; Other U.S. Federal agency

Identifiers

NCT05441670

1891731-38-22 (Other Grant/Funding Number)

00119657

Details and patient eligibility

About

The purpose of this study is to compare the effect of a combination of art therapy (AT) and physical therapy (PT) to PT only in children undergoing hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT). Each child will receive daily AT and PT or only PT for 5 days per week for 2 weeks. These sessions will begin approximately on day 15 following the transplant. Prior to starting the sessions and following 2-weeks of sessions, self-care and mobility skills will be measured. During each session, the following variables will be measured: heart rate variability (i.e., time between heart beats) using a small monitor on the chest (about the size of a quarter), walking distance using an accelerometer (similar to wearing a watch), and self-reported happiness and excitability. Although results cannot be guaranteed, it is expected that each group will benefit and demonstrate improvements in emotional state, self-care, and mobility skills.

Full description

This quantitative randomized clinical trial will examine the effect of a collaborative art therapy (AT) and physical therapy (PT) intervention as compared to a PT only intervention in children undergoing a hematopoietic cell transplant. We hypothesize that physiological, emotional, selfcare, and mobility as measured by heart rate variability, Self-Assessment Manikin, walking distance and steps, and Pediatric Disability Inventory Computerized Adapted Test will demonstrate greater improvement for the AT and PT group as well as identify media that more effectively impact these physiological and health outcomes. Findings from this project may provide scientific evidence for increasing the uptake of AT and PT in children undergoing HCT.

Enrollment: 20 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 5 to 18 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• between ages 5 to 18
• Clinical Diagnosis of hematological disease
• Undergoing Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation (HCT)
• Within the inpatient hospital treatment phase of HCT

Exclusion criteria

• Less than age 5
• Older than age 18
• Central nervous system impairments (e.g., cerebral palsy)
• Genetic diseases (e.g., Down syndrome)
• Cognitive impairment

Trial design

Primary purpose: Supportive Care

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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20 participants in 2 patient groups

Art and Physical Therapy

Experimental group

Description:

45-minutes of AT immediately followed by 30 minutes of PT Monday through Friday for 2 weeks. Targeting media that offer fluidity and tactile input, two were chosen for this study: oil pastels week 1 and gouache without brush during week 2.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Art and Physical Therapy

Physical Therapy

Active Comparator group

Description:

PT Monday through Friday for 2 weeks.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Physical Therapy