Aquatic Therapy for Children With Neuromotor Deficits

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The purpose of this study is to explore the feasibility, fidelity and acceptability of an aquatic therapy assessment and intervention for children ages 3-9 with neuromotor deficits such as cerebral palsy. The intervention takes place in a warm water therapy pool, twice a week for ten weeks and targets swim safety skills, upper extremity function and self care participation and performance.

Detailed Description
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The purpose of this study is to explore the feasibility, fidelity and acceptability of an aquatic therapy assessment and intervention. The intervention will target swim safety skills, upper extremity function and self care participation and performance in children with neuromotor conditions such as cerebral palsy. The study includes an intake evaluation session, twenty sessions of aquatic therapy (twice a week for 10 weeks) and a post evaluation session. This takes place in Columbus, Ohio. Each session will be a combination of land-based self care training and water-based upper extremity exercise and swim skill training. The intervention structure will include the following: Self Care Session: Doffing clothing, preparing for swimming Motor learning aquatic activities guided by individualized goals Self Care session: Towel dry, rinse off, dressing Individualized activities will be planned according to the individualized goals written for each child participant.

Official Title
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Aquatic Therapy for Children With Neuromotor Deficits

Conditions
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Cerebral Palsy, Hypoxia, Brain

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Aquatic therapy


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: 3-9 years for the children, 18+ for the parents/guardians. child with neuro-motor diagnosis (CP, hypoxia, etc.) child impairments in upper extremity function child deficits in performance of self care activities Exclusion Criteria: compromised airway uncontrolled seizures

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 3 Years
Maximum Age: 9 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Intervention: aquatic occupational therapy (AquOTic-NM)<br>aquatic occupational therapy 30 minutes, self care training 15 minutes | Behavioral: Aquatic therapy<br>* Children receive aquatic occupational therapy twice a week for 10 weeks. 30 minutes of aquatic therapy in a warm water pool to increase upper extremity function and swim skills; 15 minutes of self care training to increase independence with dressing and showering.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in Water Orientation Test Alyn (WOTA) | performance based swim skill assessment | Baseline, immediately after the intervention | 
| Change in Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Index, Computer Adaptive Text (PEDI-CAT) | parent reported questionnaire regarding child's self care skills | baseline, immediately after the intervention | 
| Change in Quality of Upper Extremity Skills Test (QUEST) | performance-based assessment of upper extremity skills | baseline, immediately after intervention | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in Participation and Environment Measure (PEM-CY) | parent reported questionnaire of participation in home, school and community | baseline, immediately after the intervention | 
| Change in Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) | Parent perception of goals attained | baseline, immediately after the intervention |