Autism Spectrum DisorderNCT07578987
Effects of Kinetic Sand on Functional Reach and Eye-Hand Coordination in Children With Autism
A study testing Kinetic Sand Play in people with Autism Spectrum Disorder, run by Riphah International University at 1 site in Pakistan.
Trial summary
A quasi-experimental pre-post study will be conducted at pediatric therapy clinics and special education centers, involving 17 children aged 6-12 years diagnosed with mild to moderate ASD, selected through convenient sampling. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 6 to 12 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- What is being tested?
- Kinetic Sand Play
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 17 participants
- Where
- 1 sitePakistan
- Study dates
- 28 Oct 2025to 15 Jun 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 6 to 12 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Child
Who may be able to join
- According to DSM-5 criteria, characterized by persistent deficits in social communication and interaction
- Restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior or interests
- Children demonstrating measurable impairments in functional reach and eye-hand coordination
- Able to follow instructions
Who cannot join
- Children with severe intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, epilepsy or other neurological conditions that significantly impair motor function
- Children currently receiving other intensive occupational or physical therapy targeting functional reach or eye-hand coordination
- Presence of musculoskeletal deformities, severe visual impairments, or other medical conditions independently affecting motor skills or coordination
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
A quasi-experimental pre-post study will be conducted at pediatric therapy clinics and special education centers, involving 17 children aged 6-12 years diagnosed with mild to moderate ASD, selected through convenient sampling. The intervention will consist of kinetic sand play for 30 minutes, three times per week, over six weeks, including activities such as molding objects, searching for hidden items, and free play to enhance creativity, grip strength, and coordination. Eye-hand coordination and functional reach will be assessed using the Purdue Pegboard Test (PPT) and the Functional Reach Test. Data will be analyzed using SPSS Version 26 with paired t-tests or appropriate non-parametric methods. Ethical approval will be obtained from the Research Ethical Committee of Riphah International University, Lahore.
Read the detailed description
Children with autism often experience deficits in fine motor skills, sensory processing, and motor coordination, which can significantly impede their ability to perform functional tasks such as reaching and manipulating objects. Kinetic sand, with its unique moldable and tactile properties, offers a multisensory experience that encourages repetitive hand movements, proprioceptive input, and tactile engagement.
These characteristics make it an ideal medium to potentially improve functional reach and eye-hand coordination. The intervention is designed to provide calming sensory input that may reduce tactile defensiveness and anxiety, thereby facilitating greater focus and motor control. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of kinetic sand as a sensory-motor intervention for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). A quasi-experimental study that follows a single group before and after ten months will occur at various pediatric therapy clinics and special education centers. Seventeen children between 6 and 12 years old, diagnosed with mild to moderate ASD, will be invited using non-probability convenient sampling, after allowing for the effect of potential dropouts. The intervention will last six weeks and consists of playing with kinetic sand for 30 minutes, three times every week. Activities will require molding objects, looking for hidden items, and simply playing freely to help children get creative, improve their grips, and learn coordination. The Purdue Pegboard Test (PPT) and Functional Reach test will be used to study changes in hand-eye coordination and in reaching tasks. Scores will be analyzed by SPSS Version 26, either with paired t- tests or with non-parametric methods based on what is suitable. The conclusions might assist therapists in applying sensory-motor therapy to children with autism in Pakistan. The synopsis will be presented to the Research Ethical Committee of Riphah International University, Lahore, for ethical approval to conduct this study.
- Conditions
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Being tested
- Kinetic Sand Play
- Keywords
- Autism Spectrum Disorder, Functional Reach, Hand-Eye Coordination, Kinetic Sand Therapy, Purdue Pegboard test, Sensory Integration Therapy
- Medical subject headings
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Kinetic Sand PlayOther
After obtaining consent, the patient was introduced to a rehabilitation protocol combining traditional physiotherapy for the wrist and hand with kinetic sand therapy. The program included range of motion exercises, grip strengthening, and kinetic sand activities, performed for 40 minutes per session, 6 days per week, over 7 weeks. This comprehensive approach aimed to reduce pain and swelling while improving hand function, strength, and coordination.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Kinetic sand play | Experimental | After obtaining consent, the patient was introduced to a rehabilitation protocol combining traditional physiotherapy for the wrist and hand with kinetic sand therapy. The program included range of motion exercises, grip strengthening, and kinetic sand activities, performed for 40 minutes per session, 6 days per week, over 7 weeks. This comprehensive approach aimed to reduce pain and swelling while improving hand function, strength, and coordination. Receives: Other: Kinetic Sand Play |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Functional Reach
To assess functional reach before and after the intervention, the Functional Reach Test will be used to evaluate improvements in balance and reaching ability. This method allows measurement of the maximum distance a child can reach forward beyond arm's length while maintaining a stable standing position. Changes in reach distance will indicate improvements in postural control, stability, and functional mobility, reflecting the effectiveness of the intervention.
Measured: 7 weeks
Eye-Hand Coordination
To assess eye-hand coordination before and after the intervention, the Purdue Pegboard Test will be used to evaluate improvements in fine motor skills and coordination. This method allows measurement of hand dexterity, speed, and accuracy by recording the number of pins placed within a specific time. Changes in scores will indicate improvements in coordination between visual input and hand movements, reflecting the effectiveness of the intervention.
Measured: 7 weeks
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted11 May 2026
- Study start28 Oct 2025
- Primary completion5 May 2026
- Study completion15 Jun 2026
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 Autism Spectrum DisorderStudies 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
- Other
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Model description
- A quasi-experimental pre-post study will be conducted at pediatric therapy clinics and special education centers. Seventeen children aged 6-12 years with mild to moderate ASD will be recruited through convenient sampling, accounting for possible dropouts. The intervention will consist of kinetic sand play for 30 minutes, three times per week, over six weeks, including molding, hidden object search, and free play to improve grip and coordination. Eye-hand coordination and functional reach will be assessed using the Purdue Pegboard Test (PPT) and Functional Reach Test. Data will be analyzed using SPSS Version 26 with paired t-tests or appropriate non-parametric methods. Ethical approval will be obtained from the Research Ethical Committee of Riphah International University, Lahore.
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 17 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Riphah International University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Huma Mumtaz, MS-PT, Principal investigator, Riphah International University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07578987
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- REC/RCR&AHS/25/0739
- Status last verified
- Sep 2026
- First submitted
- 5 May 2026
- Last updated
- 30 Sep 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Publications
Lord C, Elsabbagh M, Baird G, Veenstra-Vanderweele J. Autism spectrum disorder. Lancet. 2018 Aug 11;392(10146):508-520. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(18)31129-2. Epub 2018 Aug 2.
PubMed 30078460
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 30 Sep 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effects of Kinetic Sand on Functional Reach and Eye-Hand Coordination in Children With Autism
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07578987
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- REC/RCR&AHS/25/0739
- Conditions
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Keywords
- Autism Spectrum Disorder, Functional Reach, Hand-Eye Coordination, Kinetic Sand Therapy, Purdue Pegboard test, Sensory Integration Therapy
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 17 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Riphah International UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 28 Oct 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 5 May 2026 (actual)
- Study completion
- 15 Jun 2026 (actual)
- First posted
- 11 May 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.
A quasi-experimental pre-post study will be conducted at pediatric therapy clinics and special education centers, involving 17 children aged 6-12 years diagnosed with mild to moderate ASD, selected through convenient sampling. The intervention will consist of kinetic sand play for 30 minutes, three times per week, over six weeks, including activities such as molding objects, searching for hidden items, and free play to enhance creativity, grip strength, and coordination. Eye-hand coordination and functional reach will be assessed using the Purdue Pegboard Test (PPT) and the Functional Reach Test. Data will be analyzed using SPSS Version 26 with paired t-tests or appropriate non-parametric methods. Ethical approval will be obtained from the Research Ethical Committee of Riphah International University, Lahore.
Detailed description
Children with autism often experience deficits in fine motor skills, sensory processing, and motor coordination, which can significantly impede their ability to perform functional tasks such as reaching and manipulating objects. Kinetic sand, with its unique moldable and tactile properties, offers a multisensory experience that encourages repetitive hand movements, proprioceptive input, and tactile engagement.
These characteristics make it an ideal medium to potentially improve functional reach and eye-hand coordination. The intervention is designed to provide calming sensory input that may reduce tactile defensiveness and anxiety, thereby facilitating greater focus and motor control. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of kinetic sand as a sensory-motor intervention for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). A quasi-experimental study that follows a single group before and after ten months will occur at various pediatric therapy clinics and special education centers. Seventeen children between 6 and 12 years old, diagnosed with mild to moderate ASD, will be invited using non-probability convenient sampling, after allowing for the effect of potential dropouts. The intervention will last six weeks and consists of playing with kinetic sand for 30 minutes, three times every week. Activities will require molding objects, looking for hidden items, and simply playing freely to help children get creative, improve their grips, and learn coordination. The Purdue Pegboard Test (PPT) and Functional Reach test will be used to study changes in hand-eye coordination and in reaching tasks. Scores will be analyzed by SPSS Version 26, either with paired t- tests or with non-parametric methods based on what is suitable. The conclusions might assist therapists in applying sensory-motor therapy to children with autism in Pakistan. The synopsis will be presented to the Research Ethical Committee of Riphah International University, Lahore, for ethical approval to conduct this study.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Other
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 1
- Model description
- A quasi-experimental pre-post study will be conducted at pediatric therapy clinics and special education centers. Seventeen children aged 6-12 years with mild to moderate ASD will be recruited through convenient sampling, accounting for possible dropouts. The intervention will consist of kinetic sand play for 30 minutes, three times per week, over six weeks, including molding, hidden object search, and free play to improve grip and coordination. Eye-hand coordination and functional reach will be assessed using the Purdue Pegboard Test (PPT) and Functional Reach Test. Data will be analyzed using SPSS Version 26 with paired t-tests or appropriate non-parametric methods. Ethical approval will be obtained from the Research Ethical Committee of Riphah International University, Lahore.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Kinetic sand play | Experimental | Other: Kinetic Sand PlayAfter obtaining consent, the patient was introduced to a rehabilitation protocol combining traditional physiotherapy for the wrist and hand with kinetic sand therapy. The program included range of motion exercises, grip strengthening, and kinetic sand activities, performed for 40 minutes per session, 6 days per week, over 7 weeks. This comprehensive approach aimed to reduce pain and swelling while improving hand function, strength, and coordination. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 6 to 12 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Child
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- According to DSM-5 criteria, characterized by persistent deficits in social communication and interaction
- Restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior or interests
- Children demonstrating measurable impairments in functional reach and eye-hand coordination
- Able to follow instructions
Key exclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Children with severe intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, epilepsy or other neurological conditions that significantly impair motor function
- Children currently receiving other intensive occupational or physical therapy targeting functional reach or eye-hand coordination
- Presence of musculoskeletal deformities, severe visual impairments, or other medical conditions independently affecting motor skills or coordination
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Kinetic Sand PlayAfter obtaining consent, the patient was introduced to a rehabilitation protocol combining traditional physiotherapy for the wrist and hand with kinetic sand therapy. The program included range of motion exercises, grip strengthening, and kinetic sand activities, performed for 40 minutes per session, 6 days per week, over 7 weeks. This comprehensive approach aimed to reduce pain and swelling while improving hand function, strength, and coordination. | Other | Kinetic sand play |
Primary outcome
Functional Reach
Time frame: 7 weeks
To assess functional reach before and after the intervention, the Functional Reach Test will be used to evaluate improvements in balance and reaching ability. This method allows measurement of the maximum distance a child can reach forward beyond arm's length while maintaining a stable standing position. Changes in reach distance will indicate improvements in postural control, stability, and functional mobility, reflecting the effectiveness of the intervention.
Eye-Hand Coordination
Time frame: 7 weeks
To assess eye-hand coordination before and after the intervention, the Purdue Pegboard Test will be used to evaluate improvements in fine motor skills and coordination. This method allows measurement of hand dexterity, speed, and accuracy by recording the number of pins placed within a specific time. Changes in scores will indicate improvements in coordination between visual input and hand movements, reflecting the effectiveness of the intervention.
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 30 Sep 2026.
- Background: PubMed 30078460Lord C, Elsabbagh M, Baird G, Veenstra-Vanderweele J. Autism spectrum disorder. Lancet. 2018 Aug 11;392(10146):508-520. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(18)31129-2. Epub 2018 Aug 2.
- 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.
Huma Mumtaz, MS-PT 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 Kinetic Sand Play in people with Autism Spectrum Disorder, 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 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 30 Sep 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?
Functional Reach (time frame: 7 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?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07578987, 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 30 Sep 2026.