Co Morbid Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder(ADHD) and Developmental Co Ordination Disorder (DCD)

University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN)

Status

Completed

Conditions

Developmental Coordination Disorder

Attention Deficit Disorder With Hyperactivity

Treatments

Drug: Neurostimulant pharmaceutical drugs

Study type

Interventional

Funder types

Other

Identifiers

NCT03595826

Co Morbid ADHD and DCD

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study aims to establish and present the prevalence figures and demographics of the co-morbidity of ADHD and DCD.

It further aims to design an exercise intervention, to be utilised in the management of the symptoms of both conditions.

Furthermore, it aims at establishing the efficacy of this exercise intervention, when compared with the current and most commonly used intervention, that is: neurostimulant drugs.

Full description

This study is an experimental design, having three phases. The study looks at children, aged 8 to 9, in remedial units or LSEN classes, in and around Durban, Kzn, SA; who have been diagnosed with ADHD/ADD.

Phase 1: Teachers of the children identified with ADHD/ADD, will be asked to complete a modified teacher Conner's rating, to confirm the diagnosis of ADHD/ADD. The parent will then be asked to complete a DCD questionnaire (DCDQ) to give the PI an idea of whether co-ordination difficulties exist. The PI will then administer a Motor Assessment Battery for Children (MABC) to confirm the diagnosis of DCD. From the scores derived from the 3 above tests, co-morbidity will be diagnosed. The prevalence figures of co-morbidity will be calculated and presented. Demographics of prevalence figures will be given: Gender, Population group, average age.

Phase 2: The exercise intervention will be designed, drawing from the literature and similar interventions already used in various publications.

This programme will be validated by experts (Physiotherapists and O.Ts from special needs schools) and when 70% consensus is reached on all aspects of the programme, the final version will be drafted.

Phase 3: The children found to have both conditions, in co-morbidity, will be assigned to one of 4 groups, according to parental choice, medical advice from paediatricians, GPs etc and an intervention a child is already on.

The four groups will be: medication, exercises, medication plus exercises and a control group. The intervention designed in phase 2 will be administered to the two groups opting for the exercise intervention, for a minimum of 8 sessions. The 3 pre intervention scores (Conner's, DCDQ and MABC) will be derived from phase 1, post intervention scores will be done 6 months after completion of the intervention, as it is stipulated by the rules of the MABC that the test may not be repeated sooner. The pre and post intervention scores will be compared to calculate improvement and average improvement within each group, will be calculated, to establish which intervention or combination of interventions, is the most effective.

Enrollment

151 patients

Sex

All

Ages

8 to 9 years old

Volunteers

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

Age 8 to 9, diagnosed with ADHD, in remedial unit or LSEN class, in mainstream school in Durban Kzn SA.

Exclusion criteria

Any child having an obvious physical disability, neurological condition, musculoskeletal condition, psychiatric disorder or genetic disorder.

Any child below age 8 and above age 9.

Trial design

Primary purpose

Treatment

Allocation

Non-Randomized

Interventional model

Factorial Assignment

Masking

Single Blind

151 participants in 4 patient groups

1. Neurostimulant pharmaceutical drugs..

Experimental group

Description:

1.Participants receiving medicinal drugs, such as methylphenidate/Ritalin, administered by a medical practitioner, in dosages prescribed by the practitioner, to suit the child.

Treatment:

Drug: Neurostimulant pharmaceutical drugs

2. Exercise Intervention

Experimental group

Description:

Participants receiving a minimum of 8 sessions of exercise intervention, for the duration of an hour each session. Exercises will be to build muscle tone, improve core stability, enhance balance, improve fine and gross motor skills and visual motor integration.

Treatment:

Drug: Neurostimulant pharmaceutical drugs

3. Neurostimulants + Exercise intervention

Experimental group

Description:

See Arms 1 and 2 above. Both interventions administered together: Pharmaceutical drugs plus exercise intervention

Treatment:

Drug: Neurostimulant pharmaceutical drugs

4. Control Group

Experimental group

Description:

Participants will not receive any intervention during the research process. They will be given an intervention after the research is completed.