Clinical Trial Details
— Status: Active, not recruiting
Administrative data
| NCT number |
NCT03598478 |
| Other study ID # |
002 |
| Secondary ID |
|
| Status |
Active, not recruiting |
| Phase |
N/A
|
| First received |
|
| Last updated |
|
| Start date |
January 1, 2020 |
| Est. completion date |
December 31, 2023 |
Study information
| Verified date |
November 2021 |
| Source |
The University of Hong Kong |
| Contact |
n/a |
| Is FDA regulated |
No |
| Health authority |
|
| Study type |
Interventional
|
Clinical Trial Summary
Objectives: To compare the effectiveness of Tai Chi-muscle power training (TC-MPT), Tai Chi
(TC) alone, muscle power training (MPT) alone, and usual care (as a control) for improving
the limits of stability (LOS) of balance control in children with developmental coordination
disorder (DCD) and to explore the relationship among LOS, falls, and functional performance
in this population.
Design: A randomized controlled trial. Sample: 156 children with DCD. Interventions: TC-MPT,
TC alone, MPT alone, or usual care for 12 weeks. Major outcomes: Outcomes will be evaluated
at baseline, post-intervention, and a 3-month follow-up. An LOS test will give a dynamic LOS
score, an isokinetic test will quantify leg muscle force production speed, Movement
Assessment Battery for Children-2 will be used to assess functional motor performance, and
fall history will be obtained via interviews.
Anticipated results and significance: The TC-MPT group is predicted to display the best LOS
balance performance, which is associated with reduced fall incidents and improved functional
performance. This novel training regime could be readily adopted into school or clinical
settings to improve physical well-being in children with DCD, an outcome with positive
socioeconomic implications.
Description:
Children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD), who comprise about 6% of the primary
school population, display marked movement and balance difficulties. Reduced limits of
stability (LOS), the maximum spatial area in which a standing person can lean, in these
children is a major concern because it predisposes them to falls and affects their motor
development.
The investigator's recent studies demonstrate the underlying causes of impaired LOS in
children with DCD to include suboptimal volitional control of the center of gravity (COG) and
reduced leg muscle force production speed. Tai chi (TC) is a particularly suitable exercise
for improving COG control, yet the speed of movement is too slow to improve muscle power.
Hence, muscle power training (MPT), which can hasten leg muscle force production, in
conjunction with TC (TC-MPT) may be an ideal therapy for improving LOS, preventing falls, and
improving functional performance in children with DCD.
In the proposed study, the investigators will pioneer the treatment of both COG control and
leg muscular deficit in children with DCD by incorporating MPT into TC. It is hypothesized
that the LOS of balance control in these children can best be improved by treating both their
COG control and muscular deficits. This hypothesis is supported by the prediction that TC-MPT
is superior to either TC or MPT alone in improving LOS balance performance. Furthermore,
improved LOS is associated with fewer fall incidents and better functional performance in
children with DCD.
Objectives: To compare the effectiveness of TC-MPT, TC alone, MPT alone, and usual care (as a
control) for improving the LOS of balance control in children with DCD and to explore the
relationship among LOS, falls, and functional performance in this population.
Design: A randomized controlled trial. Sample: 156 children with DCD. Interventions: TC-MPT,
TC alone, MPT alone, or usual care for 12 weeks. Major outcomes: Outcomes will be evaluated
at baseline, post-intervention, and a 3-month follow-up. An LOS test will give a dynamic LOS
score, an isokinetic test will quantify leg muscle force production speed, Movement
Assessment Battery for Children-2 will be used to assess functional motor performance, and
fall history will be obtained via interviews.
Anticipated results and significance: The TC-MPT group is predicted to display the best LOS
balance performance, which is associated with reduced fall incidents and improved functional
performance. This novel training regime could be readily adopted into school or clinical
settings to improve physical well-being in children with DCD, an outcome with positive
socioeconomic implications.
