Effect of Trunk Support on Academic Engagement of Children With Severe Disability

University of Hartford

Status: Completed

Conditions: Traumatic Brain Injury; Hypotonia; Cerebral Palsy; Metabolic Disease

Treatments: Device: customized posture support

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT05391594

PRO18010001

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study evaluates the effect of optimizing trunk support based on segmental principles of trunk control, on academic engagement of children in academic settings.

Full description

Head and trunk posture control are foundational skills, impacting vision, communication, swallowing, eating, reaching, and gait. Vision, communication and upper extremity skills are critical for participation in educational settings. From an academic point of view, participants with poor trunk stability have difficulties staying erect and keeping their head and trunk steady. This interferes with concentration, reduces ability and aptitude for learning and can lead to fatigue and reduced time on task. Examination of the effect of optimal trunk support may yield critical information regarding academic engagement in children with moderate to severe disability.

The investigators propose to facilitate use of a segmental approach by physical and occupational therapists in educational settings. Activities will include identifying level of trunk control and applying segmental principles to adapt participant's positioning devices for optimal function.

Enrollment: 10 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 3 months to 21 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Referral from physical, occupational or speech therapist working in Hartford Public School District or Connecticut Birth to Three,
• Segmental deficit in trunk control as measured by Segmental Assessment of Trunk Control
• parent or guardian consent that includes permission for video data collection and sharing of IEP (individualized education plan) or IFSP (individualized family support plan).

Exclusion criteria

• pain that interferes with positioning,
• impending surgery that will result in extended absence from school

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: N/A

Interventional model: Single Group Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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10 participants in 1 patient group

Single Subject Design

Experimental group

Description:

The investigators will use a longitudinal design with baseline, immediate and post-intervention data collections. The intervention will include customized posture support in seated, standing or walking devices that will be used in the child's educational setting or home (for early intervention) to facilitate specific educational activities.

Treatment:

Device: customized posture support