Effect of Ergonomic Classroom Furniture on the Printing Legibility of Elementary Students With Cerebral Palsy

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The purpose of this pilot study is to gather the data needed to do a larger research study to determine whether children with cerebral palsy print better sitting at an ergonomically-designed, custom-fitted school desk or at an oversized, standard school desk.

Detailed Description
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This pilot study will allow us to gather information for a high-quality randomized controlled trial to study the efficacy of ergonomic school furniture as a remedial handwriting intervention for young students with cerebral palsy. We will conduct the study in two parts. In the first part, 30 children with Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) Level I and II cerebral palsy will each provide manuscript handwriting samples using two different school furniture configurations. A blinded assessor will score the legibility of handwriting samples using the Minnesota Handwriting Assessment (MHA) as a primary outcome measure. In the second part, seven occupational therapy experts will attend a focus group to help us determine the minimal clinically important difference score for the MHA. We will use the data collected to determine the sample size requirements for a proposed randomized controlled trial.

Official Title
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Ergonomic Classroom Furniture and the Printing Legibility of Elementary School Students With CP

Conditions
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Cerebral Palsy

Intervention / Treatment
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* Device: ergonomic chair and desk (Q-Learn Classic Chair and Q-Learn Desk)
* Device: ergonomic desk and chair (Q-Learn Desk)


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: primary diagnosis of cerebral palsy functional status of Gross Motor Function Classification System Level I or II Exclusion Criteria: genetic disorder; attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder; or, pervasive developmental disorder

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 6 Years
Maximum Age: 8 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Supportive Care
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Crossover Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: A<br> | Device: ergonomic chair and desk (Q-Learn Classic Chair and Q-Learn Desk)<br>* ergonomic school chair and desk adjusted to fit the child user as per the manufacturer's instructions<br>* Other names: Q-Learn Classic Chair and Q-Learn Desk;Device: ergonomic desk and chair (Q-Learn Desk)<br>* child sits on chair and desk for 5 minutes, then provides handwriting sample at one desk, then repeats this for the other desk<br>* Other names: Q-Learn Desk;|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Minnesota Handwriting Assessment |  | 5-10 minutes | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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handwriting, child, primary school, posture, assistive device