AutismNCT06893679
Effects of Qigong Sensory Training on Sensory Modulation and Behavior in Children With Autism
A study testing Qigong sensory training in people with Autism, run by Riphah International University at 1 site in Pakistan.
Trial summary
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition characterized by challenges in social interaction, communication, and a range of repetitive behaviors. Among these challenges, sensory processing abnormalities are highly prevalent, manifesting as hyper- or hypo-sensitivity to sensory stimuli… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 4 to 12 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Autism
- What is being tested?
- Qigong sensory training
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 26 participants
- Where
- 1 sitePakistan
- Study dates
- 17 Mar 2025to 17 Sep 2025
- 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 12 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Child
Who may be able to join
- Children aged 4 to12 years diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.
- Male and Female will be included in study.
- Parental/guardian consent to participate in the study.
- Children do not receive any other intervention therapy during study
Who cannot join
- Children with severe physical disabilities that significantly impair their ability to participate in touch-based interventions, as determined by a qualified healthcare provider.
- Children diagnosed with severe psychiatric conditions other than autism spectrum disorder (ASD), including but not limited to schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and severe anxiety disorders.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Pakistan1 site
Nishtar Medical University, Multan
Multan Khurd, Punjab Province, 60000
About this study
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition characterized by challenges in social interaction, communication, and a range of repetitive behaviors. Among these challenges, sensory processing abnormalities are highly prevalent, manifesting as hyper- or hypo-sensitivity to sensory stimuli, and can significantly impact daily functioning and quality of life. In sensory modulation there are difficulties in regulating and responding appropriately to sensory input from the environment. Sensory modulation can have a significant impact on the daily lives of individuals with autism, affecting their ability to engage in various activities and navigate social interactions. Autistic children also have repetitive behaviors, such as repetitive actions like self-stimulation behavior, or stimming. These behaviors can involve one part of the body, the entire body or an object. QST in which deep pressure with thumb apply on head, neck, trunk and limbs along deep breathing which give relaxation to body and have effect on sensory modulation and behavior in children with Autism. The intended project aims to evaluate the sensory modulation and behavior in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) through Qigong Sensory Training (QST).
A quasi-Experimental study will be conduct to evaluate the effect of QST on the sensory modulation and behavior of autistic children. 21 Participants will be included in the study with age of 4-12 years diagnosed with ASD. Participants will be received 15 mints massage therapy 2 times in a day and 5 days a week for 8 weeks. Before and after 8 week of intervention, Assessment of sensory modulation scale (ASMS) will be used to check the sensory modulation level and strength and difficulties questionnaire (SDQ) will be used to check the behavior. Data will be collected from Nishtar Hospital Multan. The pre and post intervention assessments will be done. The reliability and validity of tools are mentioned. The duration of study will be 10-months. Data will be analyzed with the help of SPSS 25.
- Conditions
- Autism
- Being tested
- Qigong sensory training
- Keywords
- Qigong sensory training, Autism, Sensory Modulation, Strength, Behavior
- Medical subject headings
- Autistic Disorder, Behavior
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Qigong sensory trainingOther
Participants will be received 15 mints massage therapy 2 times in a day and 5 days a week for 8 weeks. Before and after 8 week of intervention, Assessment of sensory modulation scale (ASMS) will be used to check the sensory modulation level and strength and difficulties questionnaire (SDQ) will be used to check the behavior. Data will be collected from Nishtar Hospital Multan. The pre and post intervention assessments will be done.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Qigong sensory training | Experimental | Participants will be received 15 mints massage therapy 2 times in a day and 5 days a week for 8 weeks. Before and after 8 week of intervention, Assessment of sensory modulation scale (ASMS) will be used to check the sensory modulation level and strength and difficulties questionnaire (SDQ) will be used to check the behavior. Data will be collected from Nishtar Hospital Multan. The pre and post intervention assessments will be done. Receives: Other: Qigong sensory training |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Assessment of sensory modulation scale (ASMS)
The 141 items in the ASMS comprise 3 scales of 30, 30 and 21 items in these scales. First 30 items consist question of sensory over-responsive (SOR) and second 30 items consist questions of sensory under-responsive (SUR) and third 21 items consist questions of sensory seeking (SS) these all items use to evaluate children with mental, behavioural and neuro-developmental disorders, the cut of values of this questionnaire is given here. The participant will be given 1 score of each item if they answer "Yes" and will be given 2 score if they answer "No", the total score of 1ST \& 2ND items SOR and SUR are 60. Minimum score, less than 30 show SOR and maximum score, greater than 30 show SUR and in 3rd item score less than 21 show SS.
Measured: Baseline and 8 weeks
Strength and difficulty questionnaire (SDQ)
"Strengths and Difficulties" Parent and Teacher reported questionnaire for children aged 04-17 years is a behavioral measuring tool. The SDQ includes 25 items that examine a range of 'strengths and difficulties' as behavioral indicators of probable mental health disorders. The items contribute to 5 subscales, each with 5 items and a minimum score ranging from 0 (lowest score) to 10 (highest score): conduct difficulties, hyperactivity/inattention, emotional signs, problems with peers, and social conduct. The sum of the first 4 subscales yields a total difficulty score that ranges from 0 to 40
Measured: Baseline and 8 weeks
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted25 Mar 2025
- Study start17 Mar 2025
- Primary completion17 Aug 2025
- Study completion17 Sep 2025
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for AutismStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Riphah International UniversityThe 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
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 26 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Riphah International University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Muhammad Yousaf, MSPT(Peads), Principal investigator, Riphah International University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06893679
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- REC/RCR/AHS/24/0738
- Status last verified
- Dec 2025
- First submitted
- 19 Mar 2025
- Last updated
- 2 Jan 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 2 Jan 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effects of Qigong Sensory Training on Sensory Modulation and Behavior in Children With Autism
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06893679
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- REC/RCR/AHS/24/0738
- Conditions
- Autism
- Keywords
- Qigong sensory training, Autism, Sensory Modulation, Strength, Behavior
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 26 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Riphah International UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 17 Mar 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 17 Aug 2025 (actual)
- Study completion
- 17 Sep 2025 (actual)
- First posted
- 25 Mar 2025 (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.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition characterized by challenges in social interaction, communication, and a range of repetitive behaviors. Among these challenges, sensory processing abnormalities are highly prevalent, manifesting as hyper- or hypo-sensitivity to sensory stimuli, and can significantly impact daily functioning and quality of life. In sensory modulation there are difficulties in regulating and responding appropriately to sensory input from the environment. Sensory modulation can have a significant impact on the daily lives of individuals with autism, affecting their ability to engage in various activities and navigate social interactions. Autistic children also have repetitive behaviors, such as repetitive actions like self-stimulation behavior, or stimming. These behaviors can involve one part of the body, the entire body or an object. QST in which deep pressure with thumb apply on head, neck, trunk and limbs along deep breathing which give relaxation to body and have effect on sensory modulation and behavior in children with Autism. The intended project aims to evaluate the sensory modulation and behavior in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) through Qigong Sensory Training (QST).
A quasi-Experimental study will be conduct to evaluate the effect of QST on the sensory modulation and behavior of autistic children. 21 Participants will be included in the study with age of 4-12 years diagnosed with ASD. Participants will be received 15 mints massage therapy 2 times in a day and 5 days a week for 8 weeks. Before and after 8 week of intervention, Assessment of sensory modulation scale (ASMS) will be used to check the sensory modulation level and strength and difficulties questionnaire (SDQ) will be used to check the behavior. Data will be collected from Nishtar Hospital Multan. The pre and post intervention assessments will be done. The reliability and validity of tools are mentioned. The duration of study will be 10-months. Data will be analyzed with the help of SPSS 25.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 1
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Qigong sensory training | Experimental | Other: Qigong sensory trainingParticipants will be received 15 mints massage therapy 2 times in a day and 5 days a week for 8 weeks. Before and after 8 week of intervention, Assessment of sensory modulation scale (ASMS) will be used to check the sensory modulation level and strength and difficulties questionnaire (SDQ) will be used to check the behavior. Data will be collected from Nishtar Hospital Multan. The pre and post intervention assessments will be done. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 4 to 12 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Child
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Children aged 4 to12 years diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.
- Male and Female will be included in study.
- Parental/guardian consent to participate in the study.
- Children do not receive any other intervention therapy during study
Key exclusion criteria (2 listed)
- Children with severe physical disabilities that significantly impair their ability to participate in touch-based interventions, as determined by a qualified healthcare provider.
- Children diagnosed with severe psychiatric conditions other than autism spectrum disorder (ASD), including but not limited to schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and severe anxiety disorders.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Qigong sensory trainingParticipants will be received 15 mints massage therapy 2 times in a day and 5 days a week for 8 weeks. Before and after 8 week of intervention, Assessment of sensory modulation scale (ASMS) will be used to check the sensory modulation level and strength and difficulties questionnaire (SDQ) will be used to check the behavior. Data will be collected from Nishtar Hospital Multan. The pre and post intervention assessments will be done. | Other | Qigong sensory training |
Primary outcome
Assessment of sensory modulation scale (ASMS)
Time frame: Baseline and 8 weeks
The 141 items in the ASMS comprise 3 scales of 30, 30 and 21 items in these scales. First 30 items consist question of sensory over-responsive (SOR) and second 30 items consist questions of sensory under-responsive (SUR) and third 21 items consist questions of sensory seeking (SS) these all items use to evaluate children with mental, behavioural and neuro-developmental disorders, the cut of values of this questionnaire is given here. The participant will be given 1 score of each item if they answer "Yes" and will be given 2 score if they answer "No", the total score of 1ST \& 2ND items SOR and SUR are 60. Minimum score, less than 30 show SOR and maximum score, greater than 30 show SUR and in 3rd item score less than 21 show SS.
Strength and difficulty questionnaire (SDQ)
Time frame: Baseline and 8 weeks
"Strengths and Difficulties" Parent and Teacher reported questionnaire for children aged 04-17 years is a behavioral measuring tool. The SDQ includes 25 items that examine a range of 'strengths and difficulties' as behavioral indicators of probable mental health disorders. The items contribute to 5 subscales, each with 5 items and a minimum score ranging from 0 (lowest score) to 10 (highest score): conduct difficulties, hyperactivity/inattention, emotional signs, problems with peers, and social conduct. The sum of the first 4 subscales yields a total difficulty score that ranges from 0 to 40
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 2 Jan 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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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.
Muhammad Yousaf, MSPT(Peads) principal investigator
Riphah International University
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Qigong sensory training in people with Autism, run by Riphah International University at 1 site in Pakistan.
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 2 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 2 Jan 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 Pakistan. 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?
Assessment of sensory modulation scale (ASMS) (time frame: Baseline and 8 weeks). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
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 2 Jan 2026.