Neurodevelopmental DisordersNCT04762290
Dance for Children With Autism
A study testing Dance in people with Neurodevelopmental Disorders, run by University of California, Los Angeles at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
Motor impairments are prominent in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other neurodevelopment disorders, and these impairments often impact the individual's ability to engage in organized physical activity programs (OPA). Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 8 to 12 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Neurodevelopmental Disorders
- What is being tested?
- Dance
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 35 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- 31 Jan 2021to 31 Aug 2024
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 8 to 12 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Child
Who may be able to join
- There are no inclusion criteria based on gender, pregnancy/childbearing potential, race, ethnicity, or language spoken
- Children must be between the ages of 8 to 12
- A diagnosis of a autism
- Complex speech/fully verbal
Who cannot join
- Children younger than 8 years of age
- Children older than 12 years of age
- Children without a diagnosis of autism
- Children who are not fully verbal (i.e. phrased speech, single words, or non-speaking)
- Children who have previously participated in dance classes held by the Dance program called the Expressive Movement Initiative
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
United States1 site
UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine
Los Angeles, California, 90095
About this study
Official title: Dance for Children With Autism: a Therapeutic Intervention to Improve Motor Ability, Quality of Life, Social Communication, Perceived Physical Competence, and Self-efficacy
Motor impairments are prominent in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other neurodevelopment disorders, and these impairments often impact the individual's ability to engage in organized physical activity programs (OPA). While many studies have identified dance and creative movement to be retrospectively and anecdotally therapeutic, there remains a paucity of literature regarding outcomes associated with these programs, and specifically, their impact on (1) perceived and objective gross and fine motor skills, (2) perceived ability to succeed in related or divergent goals or tasks, (3) quality of life for affected individuals and their caregivers. (4) adaptive function and socialization, (5) social communication
This study explores the impact of organized dance and creative movement classes on children with autism (ages 8-12) and their caregivers. Participants will complete a set of surveys and assessments designed to measure the above metrics (labeled 1, 2, and 3) at their first study visit. This initial assessment is expected to take place within two weeks prior to beginning the intervention (either a wait period or a series of 1-hour dance classes, which children will attend weekly for 10 weeks). The second and final study visit will consist of a similar set of surveys and assessments designed to measure the same metrics within the two weeks following completion of the dance class series. Participants who have completed the wait period at this point will then begin their set of 10 weekly dance classes. Expected duration of participation in the study is no longer than 14 weeks in total.
Read the detailed description
Motor impairments are prominent in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other neurodevelopment disorders, and these impairments often impact the individual's ability to engage in organized physical activity programs (OPA). While many studies have identified dance and creative movement to be retrospectively and anecdotally therapeutic, there remains a paucity of literature regarding outcomes associated with these programs, and specifically, their impact on (1) perceived and objective gross and fine motor skills, (2) perceived ability to succeed in related or divergent goals or tasks, (3) quality of life for affected individuals and their caregivers, (4) Adaptive function and socialization, (5) social communication.
This study explores the impact of organized dance and creative movement classes on children with autism (ages 8-12) and their caregivers. Participants will complete a set of surveys and assessments designed to measure the above metrics (labeled 1, 2,3, 4, 5) at their first study visit. This initial assessment is expected to take place within two weeks prior to beginning the intervention (either a wait period or a series of 1-hour dance classes, which children will attend weekly for 10 weeks). The second and final study visit will consist of a similar set of surveys and assessments designed to measure the same metrics within the two weeks following completion of the dance class series. Participants who have completed the wait period at this point will then begin their set of 10 weekly dance classes.
- Conditions
- Neurodevelopmental Disorders
- Being tested
- Dance
- Medical subject headings
- Neurodevelopmental Disorders
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
DanceOther
Also called expressive movement
The intervention is a series of expressive dance movements.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Active Group | Active comparator | This group will receive the intervention in the first 10 weeks of the study. The intervention is a dance intervention that consists of a series of expressive movements. Receives: Other: Dance |
| Waitlist Control | Other | This group will receive the intervention in the second 10 weeks of the study (after the active group and after pre-post assessments in the first 10 weeks during the time of no intervention). Receives: Other: Dance |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Movement Assessment Battery for Children Checklist
Motor questionnaire. Higher scores indicate a worse outcome
Measured: 10 minutes
Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale
A measure of adaptive behavior and motor skills. The minimum value is 21 and maximum value is 140. Higher scores indicate a better outcome.
Measured: 45 minutes
Perceived Motor Competence Scale Parent Report
A measure of perceived motor skills in the child. Higher scores indicate a better outcome. Scores are based on a likert scale of 1-4. The minimum score is 18 and the maximum score is 72.
Measured: 5 minutes
Perceived Motor Competence Scale Child Report
A measure of perceived motor skills in the child (participant). Higher scores indicate a better outcome. The minimum score is 13 and the maximum score is 52.
Measured: 5 minutes
Brief Observation of Social Communication Change
A videotaped observational coding of a child's social communication behavior.
Measured: 10 minutes
Parenting Stress Scale
Measure of factors related to caregiver stress
Measured: 5 minutes
Lifespan Self-Esteem Scale
Measure of self-esteem/self-confidence
Measured: 2 minutes
Autism Impact Measure
Measure of child's behaviors and the degree of impact on everyday functioning
Measured: 10 minutes
Quantitative Gait Assessment
Direct motor measure in which the child walks across a mat with embedded sensors. The mat used in this study is the Zeno Walkway Gait Analysis System. This assessment includes self-regulated walking, fast walking, and standing balance.
Measured: 10 minutes
Secondary outcomes (3)
Social responsiveness scale
A measure of social communication and autism traits. Higher scores indicate a worse outcome. A total T-score of 76 or higher is considered severe and strongly associated with a clinical diagnosis of Autistic Disorder. T-scores of 66 through 75 are interpreted as indicating Moderate deficiencies in reciprocal social behavior that are clinically significant and lead to substantial interference in everyday social interactions. T-scores of 60 to 65 are in the Mild range and indicate mild to moderate deficits in social interaction.T scores of 59 and below are considered to be within typical limits and generally not associated with clinically significant ASD
Measured: 15 minutes
Survey for adults
Measure of child's physical activity levels and engagement
Measured: 10 minutes
Survey for children
measure of self physical activity levels and engagement
Measured: 10 minutes
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted21 Feb 2021
- Study start31 Jan 2021
- Primary completion30 Aug 2024
- Study completion31 Aug 2024
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (1)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Neurodevelopmental DisordersStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by University of California, Los AngelesThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- The study model is a waitlist control. There is an active group and a waitlist control group.
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 35 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of California, Los Angeles
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Rujuta B. Wilson, MD, University of California, Los Angeles
- Investigators
- Rujuta B Wilson, MD, Principal investigator, University of California, Los Angeles
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT04762290
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 20-001680-AM-00005
- Status last verified
- Mar 2025
- First submitted
- 17 Feb 2021
- Last updated
- 16 Apr 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: At this time, there is not a plan to provide confidential individual participant data to other researchers. This study does not entail a medical condition or study of medication for a specific medical or genetic condition.
Publications
Anderson JT, Toolan C, Coker E, Singer H, Pham D, Jackson N, Lord C, Wilson RB. A novel dance intervention program for children and adolescents with developmental disabilities: a pilot randomized control trial. BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil. 2024 May 14;16(1):109. doi: 10.1186/s13102-024-00897-3.
PubMed 38745176
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 16 Apr 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Dance for Children With Autism: a Therapeutic Intervention to Improve Motor Ability, Quality of Life, Social Communication, Perceived Physical Competence, and Self-efficacy
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT04762290
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 20-001680-AM-00005
- Conditions
- Neurodevelopmental Disorders
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 35 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- University of California, Los AngelesUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)
- Study start
- 31 Jan 2021 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 30 Aug 2024 (actual)
- Study completion
- 31 Aug 2024 (actual)
- First posted
- 21 Feb 2021 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Motor impairments are prominent in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other neurodevelopment disorders, and these impairments often impact the individual's ability to engage in organized physical activity programs (OPA). While many studies have identified dance and creative movement to be retrospectively and anecdotally therapeutic, there remains a paucity of literature regarding outcomes associated with these programs, and specifically, their impact on (1) perceived and objective gross and fine motor skills, (2) perceived ability to succeed in related or divergent goals or tasks, (3) quality of life for affected individuals and their caregivers. (4) adaptive function and socialization, (5) social communication
This study explores the impact of organized dance and creative movement classes on children with autism (ages 8-12) and their caregivers. Participants will complete a set of surveys and assessments designed to measure the above metrics (labeled 1, 2, and 3) at their first study visit. This initial assessment is expected to take place within two weeks prior to beginning the intervention (either a wait period or a series of 1-hour dance classes, which children will attend weekly for 10 weeks). The second and final study visit will consist of a similar set of surveys and assessments designed to measure the same metrics within the two weeks following completion of the dance class series. Participants who have completed the wait period at this point will then begin their set of 10 weekly dance classes. Expected duration of participation in the study is no longer than 14 weeks in total.
Detailed description
Motor impairments are prominent in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other neurodevelopment disorders, and these impairments often impact the individual's ability to engage in organized physical activity programs (OPA). While many studies have identified dance and creative movement to be retrospectively and anecdotally therapeutic, there remains a paucity of literature regarding outcomes associated with these programs, and specifically, their impact on (1) perceived and objective gross and fine motor skills, (2) perceived ability to succeed in related or divergent goals or tasks, (3) quality of life for affected individuals and their caregivers, (4) Adaptive function and socialization, (5) social communication.
This study explores the impact of organized dance and creative movement classes on children with autism (ages 8-12) and their caregivers. Participants will complete a set of surveys and assessments designed to measure the above metrics (labeled 1, 2,3, 4, 5) at their first study visit. This initial assessment is expected to take place within two weeks prior to beginning the intervention (either a wait period or a series of 1-hour dance classes, which children will attend weekly for 10 weeks). The second and final study visit will consist of a similar set of surveys and assessments designed to measure the same metrics within the two weeks following completion of the dance class series. Participants who have completed the wait period at this point will then begin their set of 10 weekly dance classes.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- The study model is a waitlist control. There is an active group and a waitlist control group.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Active Group | Active comparator | Other: DanceThis group will receive the intervention in the first 10 weeks of the study. The intervention is a dance intervention that consists of a series of expressive movements. |
| Waitlist Control | Other | Other: DanceThis group will receive the intervention in the second 10 weeks of the study (after the active group and after pre-post assessments in the first 10 weeks during the time of no intervention). |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 8 to 12 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Child
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- There are no inclusion criteria based on gender, pregnancy/childbearing potential, race, ethnicity, or language spoken
- Children must be between the ages of 8 to 12
- A diagnosis of a autism
- Complex speech/fully verbal
Key exclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Children younger than 8 years of age
- Children older than 12 years of age
- Children without a diagnosis of autism
- Children who are not fully verbal (i.e. phrased speech, single words, or non-speaking)
- Children who have previously participated in dance classes held by the Dance program called the Expressive Movement Initiative
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| DanceAlso: expressive movementThe intervention is a series of expressive dance movements. | Other | Active Group, Waitlist Control |
Primary outcome
Movement Assessment Battery for Children Checklist
Time frame: 10 minutes
Motor questionnaire. Higher scores indicate a worse outcome
Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale
Time frame: 45 minutes
A measure of adaptive behavior and motor skills. The minimum value is 21 and maximum value is 140. Higher scores indicate a better outcome.
Perceived Motor Competence Scale Parent Report
Time frame: 5 minutes
A measure of perceived motor skills in the child. Higher scores indicate a better outcome. Scores are based on a likert scale of 1-4. The minimum score is 18 and the maximum score is 72.
Perceived Motor Competence Scale Child Report
Time frame: 5 minutes
A measure of perceived motor skills in the child (participant). Higher scores indicate a better outcome. The minimum score is 13 and the maximum score is 52.
Brief Observation of Social Communication Change
Time frame: 10 minutes
A videotaped observational coding of a child's social communication behavior.
Parenting Stress Scale
Time frame: 5 minutes
Measure of factors related to caregiver stress
Lifespan Self-Esteem Scale
Time frame: 2 minutes
Measure of self-esteem/self-confidence
Autism Impact Measure
Time frame: 10 minutes
Measure of child's behaviors and the degree of impact on everyday functioning
Quantitative Gait Assessment
Time frame: 10 minutes
Direct motor measure in which the child walks across a mat with embedded sensors. The mat used in this study is the Zeno Walkway Gait Analysis System. This assessment includes self-regulated walking, fast walking, and standing balance.
3 secondary outcomes
Social responsiveness scale
Time frame: 15 minutes
Survey for adults
Time frame: 10 minutes
Survey for children
Time frame: 10 minutes
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 16 Apr 2025.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 38745176Anderson JT, Toolan C, Coker E, Singer H, Pham D, Jackson N, Lord C, Wilson RB. A novel dance intervention program for children and adolescents with developmental disabilities: a pilot randomized control trial. BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil. 2024 May 14;16(1):109. doi: 10.1186/s13102-024-00897-3.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. At this time, there is not a plan to provide confidential individual participant data to other researchers. This study does not entail a medical condition or study of medication for a specific medical or genetic condition.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Rujuta B Wilson, MD principal investigator
University of California, Los Angeles
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Dance in people with Neurodevelopmental Disorders, run by University of California, Los Angeles at 1 site in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 4 inclusion and 5 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 16 Apr 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Movement Assessment Battery for Children Checklist (time frame: 10 minutes). The study lists 9 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT04762290, which also lists 1 linked publication.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 16 Apr 2025.