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Cerebral PalsyNCT06100562

Dance Program for Youth With Cerebral Palsy

A study testing Adapted Dance Program in people with Cerebral Palsy, run by Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children at 1 site in United States.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

The goal of this prospective cohort study is to learn about the impact of an adapted dance program in youth with cerebral palsy. The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. Are there clinically significant benefits for children with cerebral palsy who participate in an Adaptive Dance Program? 2. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 4 to 17 years
Conditions the study is for
Cerebral Palsy
What is being tested?
Adapted Dance Program
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
13 participants
Where
1 siteUnited States
Study dates
22 Jan 2024to 21 Apr 2026
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 4 to 17 years
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Child

Who may be able to join

  • Diagnosis of cerebral palsy
  • GMFCS levels 1 or 2
  • MACS levels 1-3
  • Aged 4-17 years
  • Able to follow directions in English
  • Ability to complete the assessment protocol
  • Does not have any restrictions/contraindications following a medical procedure that prohibits movement

Who cannot join

  • has uncontrolled epilepsy
  • has severe behavioral problems
  • unable to complete the assessment protocol

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

United States1 site
  • Scottish Rite for Children

    Frisco, Texas, 75034

Other trials in United States

About this study

The goal of this prospective cohort study is to learn about the impact of an adapted dance program in youth with cerebral palsy. The main questions it aims to answer are:

  1. Are there clinically significant benefits for children with cerebral palsy who participate in an Adaptive Dance Program?
  2. Is it feasible to implement an adaptive dance program using action-observation principles for children diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy (CP)? Participants will complete a pre-dance program assessment, participate in a 10-week dance program (20 hours), and complete a post-dance program assessment.
Read the detailed description

Purpose:

Cerebral palsy (CP) is defined as a group of permanent disorders of the development of movement and posture that are attributed to non-progressive disturbances which occurred in the developing fetal or infant brain. As children with CP experience development and growth, motor disorders present along with disorders related to sensation, perception, cognition, and/or a seizure disorder. The way that CP manifests itself can change over time as a child grows and their surrounding environment changes, however, the lesion does not change. Throughout childhood and adolescence, a common obstacle that children with cerebral palsy face is a lack of participation and inclusion in the same leisure activities containing physical activity as their peers due to physical, cognitive, and social limitations. Currently, there is limited research pertaining to the concepts of adapted dance and its relation to children with CP and in turn, limited information about the benefits that these programs offer to the target population.

Background and Intervention Children with CP may not participate in the same leisure activities containing physical activity as their peers due to physical, cognitive, and social limitations. Children with CP who lack opportunities for physical activity are at increased risk for fatigue, injury, and pain secondary to maladaptation resulting from exacerbating physical impairments. To decrease these risks, it is imperative that children with CP participate in physical activity and develop a habit of healthy exercise. However, opportunities for physical activity must have accommodations for physical and cognitive deficits experienced by this population. Thus, an adapted sports program, such as dance, can be developed to cater to the target population. The program developed should be a physical activity that is meaningful and engaging. Thus, an adapted dance or sports program for the target population could be an effective solution to the obstacle.

Of the current research conducted on adaptive dance programs for children with CP, there is an overall theme of the active ingredients used in the programs. Each dance class was 60 minutes in length for 2-3x per week depending on the study. Most of the dance programs recruited volunteers to support participants throughout the dance class as needed. All programs consisted of a warm-up section and a cool-down portion at the end of class. The type of dance ranged in each study from hip-hop, ballet, and a variety of all dance types. The major theme of all adaptive dance programs for children with CP included focus on repetition of movements and an improvisation portion of the class. Dance movements were focused on balance, postural control, and directional movements. All programs consisted of a dance performance for participants' families and friends. The main outcomes from included significant gait improvement and control of movements. Major outcomes of an adaptive dance program can include significant improvement in coordination, balance, and endurance.

The use of the action-observation treatment intervention strategy has yielded a significant amount of evidence that shows the activation of the mirror neuron system can help improve specific motor skills. This motor learning technique has been successfully applied in a variety of adult populations such as stroke patients and Parkinson's disease patients, as well as more recently, children with cerebral palsy. In the context of rehabilitation sessions, patients typically work on one action per session, and this action is separated into 3 to 4 consecutive motor actions. Each action is observed for at least 3 minutes, with the total action then taking 12 minutes to observe. Actions are shown from multiple perspectives to further enhance learning. Following the observation, participants spend at least 2 minutes imitating the observed actions. The total time a session takes is typically 30 minutes.

In the context of a dance class, the research team will incorporate an action-observation technique as a method of teaching choreography steps. A section of a dance routine will be focused on for the duration of one class session, with the dance section broken up into 3 to 4 smaller movements. The environmental aspect of adding a mirror will add multiple perspectives for participants to observe the instructor performing dance actions, which could enhance learning and comprehension of dance moves.

Study Design A quasi-experimental mixed-method study will be conducted with clinical assessments completed pre-intervention and post-intervention to determine the feasibility and the impact of the intervention. The intervention will consist of participating in a 1-hour class, two times a week for 10 weeks.

Conditions
Cerebral Palsy
Being tested
Adapted Dance Program
Keywords
Dance, Action Observation
Medical subject headings
Cerebral Palsy

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Adapted Dance ProgramBehavioural

    • Participants will attend a 2x/weekly adaptive dance session for 10 weeks. If participants miss a class due to illness or an unexpected event (loss of transportation, family emergency/need) they will receive a video of the content missed and can complete the session at home.
    • Each class will start with a 10 min warm-up that will include stretching and motor games.
    • Learn a section of choreography every session using action-based intervention for 30 minutes.
    • Break for 5 min.
    • Improvisation part of class for 10 min.
    • Cool-down for 5 min.
Study groups in NCT06100562
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Dance ProgramExperimental10-week adapted dance program (20 hours)
Receives: Behavioral: Adapted Dance Program

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS)

    a 14-item criterion referenced measure that tests functional balance for pediatric patients in everyday tasks with a sum score of 0-56. A higher score represents better balance.

    Measured: within 2 weeks of start of intervention (pre-intervention), within 2 weeks of end of intervention (post-intervention)

  2. 6 minute walk test (6MWT)

    a standardized, self-paced walking test that is used to measure functional ability; the score is the amount of meters walked in 6 minutes; longer distances walked represents better function

    Measured: within 2 weeks of start of intervention (pre-intervention), within 2 weeks of end of intervention (post-intervention)

  3. The Cerebral Palsy Quality of Life Questionnaire (CPQOL)

    a standardized patient reported outcome measure that measures quality of life; it is completed by the caregiver and by children with CP ages 9+; each item is rated on a scale from 1-9, higher ratings indicate better quality of life

    Measured: within 2 weeks of start of intervention (pre-intervention), within 2 weeks of end of intervention (post-intervention)

  4. Child and Adolescent Scale of Participation (CASP)

    20-item caregiver questionnaire that measures a child or adolescent's participation in home, school, and community with a sum score of 20-80; a higher score represents higher participation

    Measured: within 2 weeks of start of intervention (pre-intervention), within 2 weeks of end of intervention (post-intervention)

Secondary outcomes (3)
  1. Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS)

    standardized measurement of tone on a 5 point scale (0, 1, 1+, 2, 3); a higher score represents increased tone

    Measured: within 2 weeks of start of intervention (pre-intervention), within 2 weeks of end of intervention (post-intervention)

  2. Quality of Upper Limb Extremity Skills Test (QUEST) (optional)

    standardized, criterion-referenced assessment that measures dissociated movement, grasp, protective extension, and weight bearing that is reported using a standard score ranging from 0-100. A higher score represents better upper limb function.

    Measured: within 2 weeks of start of intervention (pre-intervention), within 2 weeks of end of intervention (post-intervention)

  3. Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency (BOT-2) -subsections (bilateral coordination and upper limb coordination) (optional)

    standardized, norm-referenced assessment that measures fine and gross motor skills; subtests are scored using scaled scores with a mean of 15 and standard deviation of 5. A higher score represents higher motor performance.

    Measured: within 2 weeks of start of intervention (pre-intervention), within 2 weeks of end of intervention (post-intervention)

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted25 Oct 2023
  2. Study start22 Jan 2024
  3. Primary completion20 Jul 2025
  4. Study completion21 Apr 2026

Resources

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
Treatment
Allocation
Not applicable
Intervention model
Single group
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
13 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT06100562
Sponsor's protocol ID
STU-2023-0893
Status last verified
May 2026
First submitted
17 Oct 2023
Last updated
1 Jun 2026
Results posted
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No

Publications

  • Bax M, Goldstein M, Rosenbaum P, Leviton A, Paneth N, Dan B, Jacobsson B, Damiano D; Executive Committee for the Definition of Cerebral Palsy. Proposed definition and classification of cerebral palsy, April 2005. Dev Med Child Neurol. 2005 Aug;47(8):571-6. doi: 10.1017/s001216220500112x.

    PubMed 16108461
  • Withers JW, Muzzolon SB, Zonta MB. Influence of adapted hip-hop dancing on quality of life and social participation among children/adolescents with cerebral palsy. Arq Neuropsiquiatr. 2019 Oct 24;77(10):712-722. doi: 10.1590/0004-282X20190124. eCollection 2019.

    PubMed 31664347
  • Teixeira-Machado L, DeSantana JM. Effect of dance on lower-limb range of motion in young people with cerebral palsy: a blinded randomized controlled clinical trial. Adolesc Health Med Ther. 2019 Mar 27;10:21-28. doi: 10.2147/AHMT.S177867. eCollection 2019.

    PubMed 30988649
  • Moran Pascual P, Mortes Rosello E, Domingo Jacinto A, Belda Lois JM, Bermejo I, Medina E, Barbera Guillem R. On the Use of Dance as a Rehabilitation Approach for Children with Cerebral Palsy: A Single Case Study. Stud Health Technol Inform. 2015;217:923-8.

    PubMed 26294586
  • Owens M, Silkwood-Sherer D. Informal Dance Intervention Improves BMI and Functional Gait in an Adolescent With Cerebral Palsy: A Case Report. Pediatr Phys Ther. 2019 Oct;31(4):E26-E31. doi: 10.1097/PEP.0000000000000653.

    PubMed 31469773
  • Lopez-Ortiz C, Gaebler-Spira DJ, Mckeeman SN, Mcnish RN, Green D. Dance and rehabilitation in cerebral palsy: a systematic search and review. Dev Med Child Neurol. 2019 Apr;61(4):393-398. doi: 10.1111/dmcn.14064. Epub 2018 Oct 23.

    PubMed 30350851

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Adapted Dance Program in people with Cerebral Palsy, run by Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children 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 7 inclusion and 3 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 1 Jun 2026. 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?

Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS) (time frame: within 2 weeks of start of intervention (pre-intervention), within 2 weeks of end of intervention (post-intervention)). The study lists 4 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 NCT06100562, which also lists 6 linked publications.

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 1 Jun 2026.

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