This study looks at whether therapeutic climbing - indoor climbing activities guided by therapists - can help children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD). DCD is a condition where children have difficulty with motor skills and participation in everyday activities, and sometimes confidence in physical activities. The climbing program is based on a problem-solving approach called CO-OP (Cognitive Orientation to daily Occupational Performance), in which children learn strategies to achieve goals.
Background: Therapeutic climbing, based on the Cognitive Orientation to daily Occupational Performance (CO-OP) approach, may improve goal performance and satisfaction in children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), as well as their motivation and self-efficacy toward physical activity. Objective: This study aims to examine the effectiveness of a CO-OP-based group therapeutic climbing intervention for children with DCD. Methods: A randomized crossover trial will be conducted with children with DCD. The intervention will consist of a 10-week group-based therapeutic climbing program delivered in an indoor climbing setting. Primary outcomes will include performance and satisfaction related to individualized goals. Secondary outcomes will assess motor skills, self-efficacy, executive functions, motivation toward physical activity, and transfer of learning. Effects of the intervention will be assessed using linear mixed effects models. Results: It is hypothesized that participants will demonstrate improvements in both primary and secondary outcomes following the intervention. Conclusions: This study will contribute to the evidence base regarding therapeutic climbing and CO-OP-based interventions for children with DCD, informing future rehabilitation practices.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
16
The intervention will consist of a 10-week group-based therapeutic climbing program delivered once weekly on Saturday afternoons at an indoor climbing center. Sessions will be delivered by an occupational therapist (OT), two occupational therapy interns, and a certified climbing monitor (hereafter referred to as "intervention providers"). Each 90-minute session will follow the same global structure. The intervention is grounded in the CO-OP approach.
Performance related to individualized goals
Assess with the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) (visual analog scale of 1-10)
Time frame: Baseline (2-3 months before the intevention, pre-intervention (immediatly before the intervention), post-intervention (immediatly after the intervention), follow-up 2-3 months post-intervention
Satisfaction related to individualized goals
Assess with the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) (visual analog scale of 1-10)
Time frame: Baseline (2-3 months before the intervention, pre-intervention (immediatly before the intervention), post-intervention (immediatly after the intervention), follow-up 2-3 months post-intervention
Performance related to climbing-specific goals
Assess with the Performance Quality Rating Scale (PQRS) (visual analog scale of 1-10)
Time frame: Baseline (2-3 months before the intervention, pre-intervention (immediatly before the intervention), post-intervention (immediatly after the intervention), follow-up 2-3 months post-intervention
Motor skills
Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency, Third Edition (BOT-3) (standard scores (mean = 50, SD = 10) or scale scores for subtests (mean = 10, SD = 3))
Time frame: Baseline (2-3 months before the intervention, pre-intervention (immediatly before the intervention), post-intervention (immediatly after the intervention), follow-up 2-3 months post-intervention
Self-efficacy
Assess with the French adaptation of the General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES) (5-point Likert scale)
Time frame: Baseline (2-3 months before the intervention, pre-intervention (immediatly before the intervention), post-intervention (immediatly after the intervention), follow-up 2-3 months post-intervention
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Executive functioning
Assess with the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function, Second Edition (BRIEF-2) T-scores (mean = 50, SD = 10)
Time frame: Baseline (2-3 months before the intervention, pre-intervention (immediatly before the intervention), post-intervention (immediatly after the intervention), follow-up 2-3 months post-intervention
Motivation for physical activity
Assess with the Pictorial Motivation Scale (PMS) for physical activity (3-point scale)
Time frame: Baseline (2-3 months before the intervention, pre-intervention (immediatly before the intervention), post-intervention (immediatly after the intervention), follow-up 2-3 months post-intervention