Effects Of DPPT On Motor Skills And Sleep In Children With Autism

Official title

Effects of Wilbarger Deep Pressure and Proprioceptive Technique (DPPT) on Motor Skills and Sleep Pattern in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Overview

It will be conducted as a Quasi Experimental study across pediatric therapy centers, specialized autism clinics, and special schools. Using non-probability convenience sampling, the study will enroll Autistic children aged 6-10 years who exhibit sensory processing difficulties, motor skill delays, and sleep disturbances. Exclusion criteria include other neurological or developmental disorders and children with major physical problems. Motor skills will be assessed with the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency (BOT-2), and sleep quality will be measured using the Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ). Participants will be receiving Wilbarger DPPT along with their usual therapy sessions, which may include general occupational therapy, physical therapy, ABA etc. The DPPT intervention will occur three times per week for six weeks, with each session lasting approximately 30-45 minutes, including brushing, joint compressions, and calming activities. Data will be collected at baseline and post-intervention, focusing on motor skill improvement and sleep quality changes. SPSS version 23 will be used for statistical analysis.

Detailed description

Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) frequently experience sensory processing difficulties, where they may either overreact or underreact to sensory stimuli in their environment. This sensory deregulation can significantly impact essential functions, including motor skills and sleep quality, both0 crucial for overall development and day-to day engagement. Sensory Integration Therapy (SIT), is a well-established approach used to help individuals with sensory processing challenges. Ayres' work emphasized that when the brain effectively organizes sensory input, it can foster better behavioral and motor responses, leading to improved participation in daily activities. Various sensory-based interventions have been developed, including Wilbarger Deep Pressure and Proprioceptive Technique (DPPT). The Wilbarger protocol, or DPPT, is a specific approach using firm pressure and joint compressions at regular intervals, aiming to create a calming, organizing effect on the nervous system. The "brushing" aspect of this technique involves using a soft surgical brush over the skin to stimulate sensory receptors, followed by compressions to the joints, which is thought to help regulate sensory input and reduce sensory defensiveness. This study aims to assess the impact of DPPT on motor skills and sleep patterns in children with ASD, exploring whether DPPT can enhance functional motor skills and improve sleep quality.

It will be conducted as a Quasi Experimental study across pediatric therapy centers, specialized autism clinics, and special schools. Using non-probability convenience sampling, the study will enroll Autistic children aged 6-10 years who exhibit sensory processing difficulties, motor skill delays, and sleep disturbances. Exclusion criteria include other neurological or developmental disorders and children with major physical problems. Motor skills will be assessed with the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency (BOT-2), and sleep quality will be measured using the Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ).

Participants will be receiving Wilbarger DPPT along with their usual therapy sessions, which may include general occupational therapy, physical therapy, ABA etc. The DPPT intervention will occur three times per week for six weeks, with each session lasting approximately 30-45 minutes, including brushing, joint compressions, and calming activities. Data will be collected at baseline and post-intervention, focusing on motor skill improvement and sleep quality changes. SPSS version 23 will be used for statistical analysis.

Interventions

• Other Wilbarger Deep Pressure and Proprioceptive Technique (DPPT)
  Participants will receive the Wilbarger Deep Pressure and Proprioceptive Technique (DPPT). Each session will begin in a calm, quiet environment to reduce distractions, with the therapist explaining the process in simple terms. The brushing protocol involves using a soft surgical brush to apply firm yet gentle deep pressure to the arms, back, legs, and feet for about 5-10 minutes. This is followed by gentle joint compressions to the shoulders, elbows, knees, and ankles, each held for 3-5 seconds,

Primary outcome measures

• Bruininks-Oseretsky test for Motor Proficiency (BOT-2) [Time frame: Baseline,6 weeks]
• Children Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ) [Time frame: Baseline,6 weeks]

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion criteria

• Children diagnosed with Autism
• Both Genders Males and Females
• Age 6-11
• Autistic children diagnosed with sensory processing disorder and reported with motor skill delays and sleep disturbances.
• Children scoring within the "Definite Difference" range in sensory processing areas on the Sensory Profile 2.

Exclusion criteria

• Children with other neurological or Developmental disorders
• No serious physical or behavioral impairments (blindness and deafness)
• Children with multiple diagnosis along with ASD.

Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.

Healthy volunteers: No

Study design

Allocation

N/A

Model

Single group

Masking

Open label

Primary purpose

Other

Study locations

Pakistan · 1 center

• Mind Care Therapy Centre — Lahore

Publications

• Schoen SA, Schaaf RC, Mailloux Z, Bundy A, Lane S, May-Benson TA, Parham LD, Roley SS. Response: Commentary: Evaluating Sensory Integration/Sensory Processing Treatment: Issues and Analysis. Front Integr Neurosci. 2022 Jun 7;16:874320. doi: 10.3389/fnint.2022.874320. eCollection 2022. No abstract available. PMID 35747497

Identifiers

NCT: NCT07248254 · REC/RCR&AHS/AIZAZAMIR

Primary sources (government registries)

• ClinicalTrials.gov (US NIH)

View this study on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗