Motor Intervention, Motor Skills, and Dual Task in ASD

Istanbul Aydın University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Autism Spectrum Disorder

Treatments: Other: Motor Support Program

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07386106

IAU-GOKAEK

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study is designed to understand whether a structured movement (motor) program can help improve movement skills and daily functioning in young children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

The study will include children aged 4-6 years who have been diagnosed with ASD. Some children will take part in a 12-week motor intervention program in addition to their regular individual education at special education centers. This program will include movement activities twice a week, each session lasting about one hour. Other children will continue with their usual individual education only.

Before and after the 12-week period, all children will be assessed using simple and age-appropriate tools to evaluate their motor skills, ability to perform tasks that require both movement and attention at the same time, and autism-related behaviors. These assessments are commonly used in child development and do not involve any invasive procedures.

The goal of this study is to determine whether participating in a regular movement program can support motor development, coordination, and daily activity participation in children with ASD. Improving these skills at an early age may help children become more independent in daily life and enhance their overall quality of life.

The findings of this study may provide useful information for families, educators, and health care professionals and help improve movement-based practices in special education settings.

Enrollment: 28 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 4 to 6 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Being between 4 and 6 years of age
• Having no health problems that would prevent participation in the study
• Having been diagnosed with autism according to the Health Board and Guidance and Research Center (RAM) report
• Not having previously participated in any motor-supported education programs (e.g., occupational therapy sessions)
• Having no additional diagnoses related to physical or intellectual disabilities other than autism spectrum disorder

Exclusion criteria

• The participant's failure to attend the training program for three consecutive sessions
• The participant's failure to fulfill the assigned responsibilities
• The participant's voluntary withdrawal from the study at any stage for any reason

Trial design

Primary purpose: Supportive Care

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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28 participants in 2 patient groups

Motor Support Program

Experimental group

Description:

The motor support program (MSP) consists of activities developed by the researchers based on the assessment protocols and designed to promote improvements in children's gross motor skills (such as throwing, jumping, catching, and running) while simultaneously engaging cognitive processes. The program includes dual-task activities that require children to perform motor tasks together with attention, reaction, and decision-making components.

Treatment:

Other: Motor Support Program

Standard Education (No Motor Support)

No Intervention group

Description:

Participants in the control group continued their individual education programs. However, they did not participate in any physiotherapy or motor support programs. Only pre- and post-test measurements were taken.