Cerebral Palsy (CP)DANS-SCEDNCT07500896
Effects of an Intensive Rhythmic Dance Program on Learning Skills in Children With Cerebral Palsy
An observational study of Cerebral Palsy (CP), run by University Hospital, Toulouse at 1 site in France.
Trial summary
Cerebral palsy is a neurological disorder that affects 1 in 1,000 children and causes motor disability , with sometimes sensorymotor disability which have consequences on daily life. The aim of rehabilitation for people with cerebral palsy is to improve patients' independence and quality of life. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 6 to 17 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Cerebral Palsy (CP)
- What is being tested?
- Repeated assessments
- How many people
- 6 participants
- Where
- 1 siteFrance
- Study dates
- 17 Mar 2026to 31 Dec 2026
- Phase
- Observational
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
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 6 to 17 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Child
Study population: Participants with cerebral palsy will be recruited from ASEI ((Agir, Soigner, Eduquer, Insérer), a public utility organization governed by the French law of July 1, 1901).
Who may be able to join
- Age between 6 and 17 years old
- Diagnosis of cerebral palsy
- Level I to IV on the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS, Palisano et al., 2008) : with or without an armchair
- Level I to IV on the Manual Ability Classification System (MACS, Eliasson et al., 2006)
- Affiliation with or beneficiary of a Social Security scheme
- Ability to understand instructions (investigator's assessment)
Who cannot join
- Autism spectrum disorder diagnosed according to DSM-5 criteria (APA, 2013)
- Hearing impairment diagnosed according to DSM-5 criteria (APA, 2013) or uncorrected hearing impairment that prevents the individual from hearing music at a volume between 45 and 70 decibels
- Visual impairment diagnosed according to DSM-5 criteria (APA, 2013) and uncorrected
- Intellectual Developmental Disorder diagnosed according to DSM-5 criteria (APA, 2013)
- Behavioral/conduct disorders diagnosed according to DSM-5 criteria (APA, 2013)
- Child enrolled in a dance program specifically focused on rhythm
- Child whose parents are both subject to legal protection measures (guardianship, curatorship, judicial protection)
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
France1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
CHU Toulouse - Hôpital Raymonde Fournet
Toulouse, Occitanie, 31059
Philippe Marque, +33 5 61 77 91 08, marque.ph@chu-toulouse.fr
Philippe MARQUE
About this study
Official title: Effects of an Intensive Rhythmic Dance Program on Learning Ability in Children With Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy is a neurological disorder that affects 1 in 1,000 children and causes motor disability , with sometimes sensorymotor disability which have consequences on daily life. The aim of rehabilitation for people with cerebral palsy is to improve patients' independence and quality of life. A major stake for these people is therefore to learn new behaviors by fostering motor, cognitive, and psychosocial development. Dance is a relevant activity, as it is a physical and enjoyable learning activity and a multisensory environment. Moreover, scientific literature suggests motor and psycho-affective benefits associated with dance practice in children with cerebral palsy, especially when it involves rhythmic stimulation. The aim of this project is therefore to assess the effect of a rhythm-based dance program on motor learning ability, as rhythmic auditory stimulation can improve motor control in patients with other neurological disorders (e.g., Thaut, 2015). We suppose that being able to synchronize through the practice of rhythmic dance could facilitate the learning of cognitive and psychosocial motor skills.
To reach this goal, we will conduct a Single Case Experimental Study (SCED). Using this individual analysis method, we will repeatedly evaluate a target behavior to determine whether a dance program facilitates motor, cognitive, and psychosocial learning for each participant.
The dance program will take place over two weeks. Three instructors will lead dance classes (two 2-hour sessions per day with breaks) during the first week, and three one-hour dance classes during the second week. Assessments will be conducted before (baseline, phase A), during (intervention, phase B), after the dance workshop (follow-up phase, FU), and far from it (final study visit).
- Conditions
- Cerebral Palsy (CP)
- Being tested
- Repeated assessments
- Keywords
- Dance program, Cerebral palsy, Learning skills
- Medical subject headings
- Cerebral Palsy
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Repeated assessmentsOther
It is a multiple baseline SCED study with four successive phases (A-B-Follow UP) for each participant. Repeated assessments take place for 8 consecutive weeks, with the final assessments taking place up to one week after the end-of-year show
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Evolution of the Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS) score throughout the study
The main criterion is the evolution of the Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS) score throughout the study. The GAS corresponds to the individual goals set with each child at the beginning of the study. Three individualized and specific goals will be defined for each child, covering motor, cognitive, and psychosocial domains. These measurements will be assessed repeatedly during the dance program: reference phase (baseline, phase A), during the dance program (intervention, phase B), and after the dance program (follow-up phase, FU), with a final assessment at a distance from the intervention phase (final study visit).
Measured: From baseline to the final study visit (up to approximately 9 weeks)
Secondary outcomes (4)
Intrinsic Motivation Inventory (IMI) scores
Children's perceptions will be assessed using the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory adapted for children with cerebral palsy ). This questionnaire evaluates interest and enjoyment in performing an activity, skills involved perception, perceived value and activity usefulness, the feeling of freedom and choice, and perceived pressures and tensions. These measurements will be assessed repeatedly during the dance program: reference phase (baseline, phase A), during the dance program (intervention, phase B), and after the dance program (follow-up phase, FU), with a final assessment at a distance from the intervention phase (final study visit).
Measured: From baseline to the final study visit (up to approximately 9 weeks)
Physical activity levels measured by heart rate monitoring
Physical activity levels will be measured using a heart rate monitor. These measurements will be assessed repeatedly during phase A, during the dance program (phase B), and after the dance program (follow-up phase, FU). A final assessment will be conducted remotely after the intervention phase (final study visit).
Measured: From baseline to the final study visit (up to approximately 9 weeks)
Socio-demographic characteristics
Socio-demographic characteristics is a composite measure derived age, sex, practice habits (Physical Activity (PA), dance, PA related to rhythm) will be collected via an interview grid at the beginning of the study.
Measured: baseline
Initial perceptions of the children
The initial perceptions of the children and their parents regarding their self-image in relation to dance (perceived ability and expected progress) and the effects of the dance program will be collected at the beginning of the study using a semi-structured interview, and the evolution of these perceptions will be analyzed qualitatively
Measured: baseline
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted30 Mar 2026
- Study start17 Mar 2026
- Primary completion31 Dec 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion31 Dec 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Cerebral Palsy (CP)Studies of the same condition, open and under way.
- 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
- Observational
- Observational model
- Cohort
- Time perspective
- Prospective
- Enrolment
- 6 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University Hospital, Toulouse
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07500896
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- RC31/25/0654
- Acronym
- DANS-SCED
- Status last verified
- Mar 2026
- First submitted
- 24 Mar 2026
- Last updated
- 30 Mar 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 30 Mar 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effects of an Intensive Rhythmic Dance Program on Learning Ability in Children With Cerebral Palsy
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07500896
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- DANS-SCED / RC31/25/0654
- Conditions
- Cerebral Palsy (CP)
- Keywords
- Dance program, Cerebral palsy, Learning skills
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 6 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- University Hospital, ToulouseUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 17 Mar 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 31 Dec 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 31 Dec 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 30 Mar 2026 (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.
Cerebral palsy is a neurological disorder that affects 1 in 1,000 children and causes motor disability , with sometimes sensorymotor disability which have consequences on daily life. The aim of rehabilitation for people with cerebral palsy is to improve patients' independence and quality of life. A major stake for these people is therefore to learn new behaviors by fostering motor, cognitive, and psychosocial development. Dance is a relevant activity, as it is a physical and enjoyable learning activity and a multisensory environment. Moreover, scientific literature suggests motor and psycho-affective benefits associated with dance practice in children with cerebral palsy, especially when it involves rhythmic stimulation. The aim of this project is therefore to assess the effect of a rhythm-based dance program on motor learning ability, as rhythmic auditory stimulation can improve motor control in patients with other neurological disorders (e.g., Thaut, 2015). We suppose that being able to synchronize through the practice of rhythmic dance could facilitate the learning of cognitive and psychosocial motor skills.
To reach this goal, we will conduct a Single Case Experimental Study (SCED). Using this individual analysis method, we will repeatedly evaluate a target behavior to determine whether a dance program facilitates motor, cognitive, and psychosocial learning for each participant.
The dance program will take place over two weeks. Three instructors will lead dance classes (two 2-hour sessions per day with breaks) during the first week, and three one-hour dance classes during the second week. Assessments will be conducted before (baseline, phase A), during (intervention, phase B), after the dance workshop (follow-up phase, FU), and far from it (final study visit).
Study design
- Observational model
- Cohort
- Time perspective
- Prospective
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 6 to 17 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Child
- Study population
- Participants with cerebral palsy will be recruited from ASEI ((Agir, Soigner, Eduquer, Insérer), a public utility organization governed by the French law of July 1, 1901).
Key inclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Age between 6 and 17 years old
- Diagnosis of cerebral palsy
- Level I to IV on the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS, Palisano et al., 2008) : with or without an armchair
- Level I to IV on the Manual Ability Classification System (MACS, Eliasson et al., 2006)
- Affiliation with or beneficiary of a Social Security scheme
Key exclusion criteria (7 listed)
- Autism spectrum disorder diagnosed according to DSM-5 criteria (APA, 2013)
- Hearing impairment diagnosed according to DSM-5 criteria (APA, 2013) or uncorrected hearing impairment that prevents the individual from hearing music at a volume between 45 and 70 decibels
- Visual impairment diagnosed according to DSM-5 criteria (APA, 2013) and uncorrected
- Intellectual Developmental Disorder diagnosed according to DSM-5 criteria (APA, 2013)
- Behavioral/conduct disorders diagnosed according to DSM-5 criteria (APA, 2013)
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Repeated assessmentsIt is a multiple baseline SCED study with four successive phases (A-B-Follow UP) for each participant. Repeated assessments take place for 8 consecutive weeks, with the final assessments taking place up to one week after the end-of-year show | Other | – |
Primary outcome
Evolution of the Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS) score throughout the study
Time frame: From baseline to the final study visit (up to approximately 9 weeks)
The main criterion is the evolution of the Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS) score throughout the study. The GAS corresponds to the individual goals set with each child at the beginning of the study. Three individualized and specific goals will be defined for each child, covering motor, cognitive, and psychosocial domains. These measurements will be assessed repeatedly during the dance program: reference phase (baseline, phase A), during the dance program (intervention, phase B), and after the dance program (follow-up phase, FU), with a final assessment at a distance from the intervention phase (final study visit).
4 secondary outcomes
Intrinsic Motivation Inventory (IMI) scores
Time frame: From baseline to the final study visit (up to approximately 9 weeks)
Physical activity levels measured by heart rate monitoring
Time frame: From baseline to the final study visit (up to approximately 9 weeks)
Socio-demographic characteristics
Time frame: baseline
Initial perceptions of the children
Time frame: baseline
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 30 Mar 2026.
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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.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
An observational study of Cerebral Palsy (CP), run by University Hospital, Toulouse at 1 site in France.
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 6 inclusion and 7 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: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 30 Mar 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 France. 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?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Each site lists its own contact: choose the nearest one under Trial locations. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Evolution of the Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS) score throughout the study (time frame: From baseline to the final study visit (up to approximately 9 weeks)). 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 30 Mar 2026.