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Effects of a Multimodal Exercise Program for Children With ASD

Primary Purpose

Autism Spectrum Disorder, Asperger Syndrome

Status
Not yet recruiting
Phase
Not Applicable
Locations
Study Type
Interventional
Intervention
High-intensity exercise
Wearable glove and arm sleeve device to measure movement
Sponsored by
New York Institute of Technology
About
Eligibility
Locations
Arms
Outcomes
Full info

About this trial

This is an interventional treatment trial for Autism Spectrum Disorder focused on measuring Developmental Coordination Disorder, Dyspraxia, Dysgraphia, Incoordination, Motor control

Eligibility Criteria

6 Years - 27 Years (Child, Adult)All SexesAccepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion Criteria:

  1. Clinical diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

    • Level 1 or Level 2
  2. Neuro-typical individual with no history of developmental disabilities
  3. Medical clearance to participate in the physical fitness activities

Exclusion Criteria:

  1. Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

    • Level 3
  2. Nonverbal
  3. IQ below 80 as assessed by the Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence
  4. History of seizures or head trauma; and any medical condition that precludes participants from participating in physical fitness activities.

Sites / Locations

    Arms of the Study

    Arm 1

    Arm 2

    Arm 3

    Arm 4

    Arm 5

    Arm Type

    Experimental

    Experimental

    Experimental

    Experimental

    No Intervention

    Arm Label

    ASD High-intensity Exercise (Group 1a - ASD)

    Neurotypical Group (Group 1b - Neurotpical)

    ASD Wearable Technology (Group 2a - ASD)

    ASD Wearable Technology (Group 2b - Neurotypical)

    Control (Group 3)

    Arm Description

    The high-intensity group (Group 1a - ASD). Subjects will be asked to meet 2-3 times a week for exercise training for 60-90 minutes a session. Subjects will be asked to take part in tests that measure motor skills and thinking abilities.

    The high-intensity group (Group 1b - Neurotypical). Subjects will be asked to meet 2-3 times a week for exercise training for 60-90 minutes a session. Subjects will be asked to take part in tests that measure motor skills and thinking abilities.

    ASD Wearable Technology (Group 2a- ASD). Subjects wear a glove and arm sleeve with sensors that will measure arm and hand performance. Subjects will be training 2 times a week for 20-30 minutes. The Subjects will be asked to copy a series of hand and arm gestures. Subjects will perform a series of hand exercises with the glove. The glove will record the movement data that will provide the investigators and subjects feedback on hand performance and fine motor capabilities.

    ASD Wearable Technology (Group 2b - Neurotypical). Subjects wear a glove and arm sleeve with sensors that will measure arm and hand performance. Subjects will be training 2 times a week for 20-30 minutes. The Subjects will be asked to copy a series of hand and arm gestures. Subjects will perform a series of hand exercises with the glove. The glove will record the movement data that will provide the investigators and subjects feedback on hand performance and fine motor capabilities.

    The wait-list control group will not receive the experimental intervention but will be put on a waiting list to receive the intervention after the active intervention group completes the study.

    Outcomes

    Primary Outcome Measures

    Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency (BOT-2)
    Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency (BOT-2). The BOT-2 covers the age range of 4 to 21 years, with a 53-item assessment consisting of eight subtests designed as game-like tasks that measure hand and arm coordination, balance, mobility, and strength.

    Secondary Outcome Measures

    Qualitative EEG (qEEG)
    As a baseline, qEEG will be a measure and guide in the individualized intervention protocol group. The qEEG is used to study a person's brainwaves via an analytic procedure called "brain mapping." The qEEG is derived by digitally analyzing the EEG to measure the amount of various EEG frequencies at different scalp locations (power analysis) and the connections between different areas (coherence analysis). Quantitative EEG frequencies will be measured at 19 sites on the head. The data obtained at 19 standard sites on the head is compared with data from normal individuals in the Applied Neuroscience, Inc. database. qEEG data will be analyzed to obtain brain maps and Z scores for each participant. These qEEG analyses will provide a baseline for before/during/after intervention comparison in the individualized intervention group. Furthermore, data obtained through qEEG before and after interventions will be used to evaluate the progress and modulation of brain functional connectivity.
    Wearable technology: Glove and armband
    The assessment requires the donning of a glove and armband with inductive sensors that will measure hand performance. The participants are asked to make a series of hand gestures for numbers 1 to 9 based on the American Sign Language and then follow some patterns of arm movements. The glove will record the kinematic data corresponding to each hand gesture and arm movement using a set of inductive sensors in the form of patches to be attached to the arm, a glove, and/or a pad of inductive sensors.

    Full Information

    First Posted
    August 17, 2022
    Last Updated
    October 7, 2022
    Sponsor
    New York Institute of Technology
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    1. Study Identification

    Unique Protocol Identification Number
    NCT05509231
    Brief Title
    Effects of a Multimodal Exercise Program for Children With ASD
    Official Title
    Effects of a Multimodal Exercise Program for Children With Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) on Cognitive and Motor Abilities: Part III
    Study Type
    Interventional

    2. Study Status

    Record Verification Date
    October 2022
    Overall Recruitment Status
    Not yet recruiting
    Study Start Date
    October 12, 2022 (Anticipated)
    Primary Completion Date
    January 31, 2024 (Anticipated)
    Study Completion Date
    January 31, 2024 (Anticipated)

    3. Sponsor/Collaborators

    Responsible Party, by Official Title
    Sponsor
    Name of the Sponsor
    New York Institute of Technology

    4. Oversight

    Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Drug Product
    No
    Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Device Product
    No
    Data Monitoring Committee
    No

    5. Study Description

    Brief Summary
    Exploring the effects of an exercise program for children ages 6 -26 years old who have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and neurotypical children respond to high-intensity whole body exercise interventions (Group 1), training using a sensory glove and armband (Group 2), no-intervention control (waitlist control) (Group 3). Approximately 50 children and adolescents will volunteer to participate in this program with participants parents' (or legal guardians') permission. This study will be conducted at an off-site pediatric occupational therapy facility Inclusive Sports and Fitness, Inc. (ISF).
    Detailed Description
    The purpose of this study is to explore the effects of a structured high-intensity sensorimotor exercise program on performance skills (cognitive or executive function and functional motor skills) and hand function of children diagnosed with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) and a neurotypical group and an additional qEEG which will be administered during the 6-12 week period. The investigators would like to recruit 50 participants for this study. The research design consists of a nonequivalent quasi-experimental multi-group (ASD and Neurotypical) pre and post-test group design: Experimental Group 1 (high-intensity whole-body exercise): Pretest - intervention - Post-test; Experimental Group 2 (Sensory glove and armband): Pretest-Intervention-Post-test. The pretest will consist of motor and cognitive testing and a quantitative electroencephalogram (qEEG). The administration of these measures will be conducted on the grounds of the clinical site (ISF). The same measures used at the pretest will be utilized during post-test. The potential benefits from the findings of this study will provide important information as to the efficacy of using multimodal (multisensory) training with exergaming applications on performance skills and abilities. The multisensory feedback will come from a number of sensory-based activities and gaming mechanisms employed in occupational and physical therapy. To our knowledge, there is a limited number of studies in peer-reviewed literature using validated and reliable outcome assessments under scientifically rigorous methods. The children participating in this study will receive the benefits of being in a skill-oriented exercise and functional skills training program that will address their performance skills impairments. These types of programs are not available to this population, particularly for families with limited financial support. Cognitive interventions will address the participants' ability to process various sensory (visual, auditory, haptic, proprioceptive, and vestibular information. The intervention will include a combination of cognitive tasks and sensorimotor activities. The investigators are utilizing a dynamic system approach that integrates sensory, physical, and cognitive processes with wearable technology and gaming. This approach recognizes the plastic nature of the brain and its ability to adapt through skilled interventions. Recent studies have posited that the neural substructures associated with functional impairments in children with ASD are not localized to morphological brain disorders, but rather a connectome issue associated with interneuron network impairments. Disordered connectivity can impair information processing, integration, and application of information from the different "processing nodes" within a functional network. Children with ASD demonstrate poor integration of multisensory information utilizing qEEG. The researchers suggested that interventions that provide multisensory stimuli may help improve neural connections and help them develop strategies for functioning in mainstream environments. In addition to the multisensory interventions to advance interconnectivity in the brain, children will participate in high-intensity physical activity. High-intensity activity has been found to produce neurophysiological and morphological changes in the brain with subsequent cognitive improvements. Test and measures will be administered using the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency (BOT-2). The BOT-2 covers the age range of 4 to 21 years, with a 53-item assessment consisting of eight subtests designed as game-like tasks that measure hand and arm coordination, balance, mobility, and strength. Investigators will be including an assessment that will allow us to measure the quality of movement of the hand. It will also provide feedback to the user to better calibrate and isolate hand movements. The participant will don a glove and arm sleeve with inductive sensors that will measure hand performance. The participants are asked to make a series of hand gestures for numbers 1 to 9 based on the American Sign Language and then follow some patterns of arm movements. The glove will record the kinematic data corresponding to each hand gesture and arm movement using a set of inductive sensors in the form of patches to be attached to the arm, a glove, and/or a pad of inductive sensors. The data will be used to develop machine learning algorithms from the gestures and arm movements made by neurotypical and ASD children and young adults. Machine learning applications will provide user feedback to identify correct hand positions and improve fine motor capabilities. Cognitive Performance Measure The Test of Variables of Attention (TOVA). The TOVA is a culture- and language-free, sufficiently long computerized test that requires no left/right discrimination or sequencing. Responses to visual or auditory stimuli are recorded with a unique, highly accurate (±1 ms) microswitch. The TOVA calculates response time variability (consistency), the response time (speed), commissions (impulsivity), and omissions (focus and vigilance). These calculations are then compared to a large age- and gender-matched normative sample, as well as to a sample population of individuals independently diagnosed with ADHD. Qualitative EEG (qEEG) Those potential participants who meet the eligibility criteria of the screening visit will be invited to participate in the study. As a baseline, qEEG will be a measure and guide in the individualized intervention protocol group. The qEEG is used to study a person's brainwaves via an analytic procedure called "brain mapping." The qEEG is derived by digitally analyzing the EEG to measure the amount of various EEG frequencies at different scalp locations (power analysis) and the connections between different areas (coherence analysis). Quantitative EEG frequencies will be measured at 19 sites on the head. The data obtained at 19 standard sites on the head is compared with data from normal individuals in the Applied Neuroscience, Inc. database. qEEG data will be analyzed to obtain brain maps and Z Scores for each participant. These qEEG analyses will provide a baseline for before/during/after intervention comparison in the individualized intervention group.

    6. Conditions and Keywords

    Primary Disease or Condition Being Studied in the Trial, or the Focus of the Study
    Autism Spectrum Disorder, Asperger Syndrome
    Keywords
    Developmental Coordination Disorder, Dyspraxia, Dysgraphia, Incoordination, Motor control

    7. Study Design

    Primary Purpose
    Treatment
    Study Phase
    Not Applicable
    Interventional Study Model
    Parallel Assignment
    Model Description
    Participants will consist of individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and neurotypical children. The intervention includes high-intensity whole-body exercise (Group 1), intervention using wearable technology (arm and sleeve sensor) (Group 2), and no-intervention control (waitlist control) (Group 3). Experienmental Group 1 will participate in a traditional physical fitness program combined with exergaming, Group 2 will train using wearable technology, and Group 3 will be waitlisted for the intervention.
    Masking
    None (Open Label)
    Allocation
    Randomized
    Enrollment
    50 (Anticipated)

    8. Arms, Groups, and Interventions

    Arm Title
    ASD High-intensity Exercise (Group 1a - ASD)
    Arm Type
    Experimental
    Arm Description
    The high-intensity group (Group 1a - ASD). Subjects will be asked to meet 2-3 times a week for exercise training for 60-90 minutes a session. Subjects will be asked to take part in tests that measure motor skills and thinking abilities.
    Arm Title
    Neurotypical Group (Group 1b - Neurotpical)
    Arm Type
    Experimental
    Arm Description
    The high-intensity group (Group 1b - Neurotypical). Subjects will be asked to meet 2-3 times a week for exercise training for 60-90 minutes a session. Subjects will be asked to take part in tests that measure motor skills and thinking abilities.
    Arm Title
    ASD Wearable Technology (Group 2a - ASD)
    Arm Type
    Experimental
    Arm Description
    ASD Wearable Technology (Group 2a- ASD). Subjects wear a glove and arm sleeve with sensors that will measure arm and hand performance. Subjects will be training 2 times a week for 20-30 minutes. The Subjects will be asked to copy a series of hand and arm gestures. Subjects will perform a series of hand exercises with the glove. The glove will record the movement data that will provide the investigators and subjects feedback on hand performance and fine motor capabilities.
    Arm Title
    ASD Wearable Technology (Group 2b - Neurotypical)
    Arm Type
    Experimental
    Arm Description
    ASD Wearable Technology (Group 2b - Neurotypical). Subjects wear a glove and arm sleeve with sensors that will measure arm and hand performance. Subjects will be training 2 times a week for 20-30 minutes. The Subjects will be asked to copy a series of hand and arm gestures. Subjects will perform a series of hand exercises with the glove. The glove will record the movement data that will provide the investigators and subjects feedback on hand performance and fine motor capabilities.
    Arm Title
    Control (Group 3)
    Arm Type
    No Intervention
    Arm Description
    The wait-list control group will not receive the experimental intervention but will be put on a waiting list to receive the intervention after the active intervention group completes the study.
    Intervention Type
    Behavioral
    Intervention Name(s)
    High-intensity exercise
    Other Intervention Name(s)
    Gross motor physical fitness
    Intervention Description
    Gross motor physical fitness activities to improve proprioceptive awareness, motor control, and coordination.
    Intervention Type
    Device
    Intervention Name(s)
    Wearable glove and arm sleeve device to measure movement
    Intervention Description
    Sign language and other fine motor skills activities using wearable technology.
    Primary Outcome Measure Information:
    Title
    Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency (BOT-2)
    Description
    Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency (BOT-2). The BOT-2 covers the age range of 4 to 21 years, with a 53-item assessment consisting of eight subtests designed as game-like tasks that measure hand and arm coordination, balance, mobility, and strength.
    Time Frame
    60 minutes
    Secondary Outcome Measure Information:
    Title
    Qualitative EEG (qEEG)
    Description
    As a baseline, qEEG will be a measure and guide in the individualized intervention protocol group. The qEEG is used to study a person's brainwaves via an analytic procedure called "brain mapping." The qEEG is derived by digitally analyzing the EEG to measure the amount of various EEG frequencies at different scalp locations (power analysis) and the connections between different areas (coherence analysis). Quantitative EEG frequencies will be measured at 19 sites on the head. The data obtained at 19 standard sites on the head is compared with data from normal individuals in the Applied Neuroscience, Inc. database. qEEG data will be analyzed to obtain brain maps and Z scores for each participant. These qEEG analyses will provide a baseline for before/during/after intervention comparison in the individualized intervention group. Furthermore, data obtained through qEEG before and after interventions will be used to evaluate the progress and modulation of brain functional connectivity.
    Time Frame
    10 minutes
    Title
    Wearable technology: Glove and armband
    Description
    The assessment requires the donning of a glove and armband with inductive sensors that will measure hand performance. The participants are asked to make a series of hand gestures for numbers 1 to 9 based on the American Sign Language and then follow some patterns of arm movements. The glove will record the kinematic data corresponding to each hand gesture and arm movement using a set of inductive sensors in the form of patches to be attached to the arm, a glove, and/or a pad of inductive sensors.
    Time Frame
    Approximately 20-30 minutes
    Other Pre-specified Outcome Measures:
    Title
    Kinematic Assessment with Glove and Arm Band
    Description
    We will be including an assessment that will allow us to measure the quality of movement of the hand. It will also provide feedback to the user to better calibrate and isolate hand movements. The subjects will don a glove and arm sleeve with inductive sensors that will measure hand performance. The subjects are asked to make a series of hand gestures for numbers 1 to 9 based on the American Sign Language and then follow some patterns of arm movements. The glove will record the kinematic data corresponding to each hand gesture and arm movement using a set of inductive sensors in the form of patches to be attached to the arm, a glove, and/or a pad of inductive sensors. The data will be used to develop machine learning algorithms from the gestures and arm movements made by neurotypical and ASD children and young adults. Machine learning applications will provide user feedback to identify correct hand positions and improve fine motor capabilities.
    Time Frame
    Approximately 10-20 minutes

    10. Eligibility

    Sex
    All
    Minimum Age & Unit of Time
    6 Years
    Maximum Age & Unit of Time
    27 Years
    Accepts Healthy Volunteers
    Accepts Healthy Volunteers
    Eligibility Criteria
    Inclusion Criteria: Clinical diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Level 1 or Level 2 Neuro-typical individual with no history of developmental disabilities Medical clearance to participate in the physical fitness activities Exclusion Criteria: Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Level 3 Nonverbal IQ below 80 as assessed by the Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence History of seizures or head trauma; and any medical condition that precludes participants from participating in physical fitness activities.
    Central Contact Person:
    First Name & Middle Initial & Last Name or Official Title & Degree
    Alexander Lopez, JD, OT/L
    Phone
    631-252-5776
    Email
    alopez@nyit.edu
    First Name & Middle Initial & Last Name or Official Title & Degree
    Maryam Ravan, Ph.D.
    Phone
    646-273-6178
    Email
    mravan@nyit.edu

    12. IPD Sharing Statement

    Plan to Share IPD
    No
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    Effects of a Multimodal Exercise Program for Children With ASD

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