Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD)Climbing TDCNCT07609563
Therapeutic Climbing for Children With DCD
A study testing CO-OP-based group therapeutic climbing intervention in people with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), run by Université de Sherbrooke.
Trial summary
This study looks at whether therapeutic climbing - indoor climbing activities guided by therapists - can help children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD). DCD is a condition where children have difficulty with motor skills and participation in everyday activities, and sometimes confidence in physical… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 8 to 12 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD)
- What is being tested?
- CO-OP-based group therapeutic climbing intervention
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 16 participants
- Where
- No sites listed yet
- Study dates
- 15 May 2026to 6 Jun 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- 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 8 to 12 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Child
Who may be able to join
- Diagnosis of DCD by a physician*.
- Ability to follow instructions, communicate verbally, interact with adults and peers, and use cognitive strategies.
- Ability to attend all assessment and intervention sessions in Sherbrooke.
- Ability to understand and speak French.
- Provision of child assent and parental consent. * If the target sample size (n = 16) is not reached, children with suspected DCD based on the Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire (DCDQ) (25,26) will also be considered. Eligibility will then require: (1) a score below the 15th percentile on the total motor composite or below the 5th percentile in a domain of the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency (BOT) (27,28), and (2) the identification of occupational challenges using the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) (29,30) during the initial assessment.
Who cannot join
- Diagnosis of severe behavioral disorders, autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, and/or severe functional limitations.
- Prior proficiency in climbing or absence of climbing-related goals.
Trial locations and contacts
No sites are listed yet. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
About this study
Official title: Therapeutic Group Climbing for Children With Developmental Coordination Disorder: Randomized Crossover Trial
This study looks at whether therapeutic climbing - indoor climbing activities guided by therapists - can help children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD).
DCD is a condition where children have difficulty with motor skills and participation in everyday activities, and sometimes confidence in physical activities.
The climbing program is based on a problem-solving approach called CO-OP (Cognitive Orientation to daily Occupational Performance), in which children learn strategies to achieve goals.
Read the detailed description
Background: Therapeutic climbing, based on the Cognitive Orientation to daily Occupational Performance (CO-OP) approach, may improve goal performance and satisfaction in children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), as well as their motivation and self-efficacy toward physical activity.
Objective: This study aims to examine the effectiveness of a CO-OP-based group therapeutic climbing intervention for children with DCD.
Methods: A randomized crossover trial will be conducted with children with DCD. The intervention will consist of a 10-week group-based therapeutic climbing program delivered in an indoor climbing setting. Primary outcomes will include performance and satisfaction related to individualized goals. Secondary outcomes will assess motor skills, self-efficacy, executive functions, motivation toward physical activity, and transfer of learning. Effects of the intervention will be assessed using linear mixed effects models.
Results: It is hypothesized that participants will demonstrate improvements in both primary and secondary outcomes following the intervention.
Conclusions: This study will contribute to the evidence base regarding therapeutic climbing and CO-OP-based interventions for children with DCD, informing future rehabilitation practices.
- Being tested
- CO-OP-based group therapeutic climbing intervention
- Keywords
- Therapeutic climbing, Neurodevelopmental condition, Group intervention, Participation-oriented approach, Occupational therapy
- Medical subject headings
- Motor Skills Disorders
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
CO-OP-based group therapeutic climbing interventionOther
The intervention will consist of a 10-week group-based therapeutic climbing program delivered once weekly on Saturday afternoons at an indoor climbing center. Sessions will be delivered by an occupational therapist (OT), two occupational therapy interns, and a certified climbing monitor (hereafter referred to as "intervention providers"). Each 90-minute session will follow the same global structure. The intervention is grounded in the CO-OP approach.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Group 1 - Fall 2026 | Experimental | First group intervention Receives: Other: CO-OP-based group therapeutic climbing intervention |
| Group 2 - Winter 2027 | Experimental | Second group intervention Receives: Other: CO-OP-based group therapeutic climbing intervention |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Performance related to individualized goals
Assess with the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) (visual analog scale of 1-10)
Measured: Baseline (2-3 months before the intevention, pre-intervention (immediatly before the intervention), post-intervention (immediatly after the intervention), follow-up 2-3 months post-intervention
Satisfaction related to individualized goals
Assess with the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) (visual analog scale of 1-10)
Measured: Baseline (2-3 months before the intervention, pre-intervention (immediatly before the intervention), post-intervention (immediatly after the intervention), follow-up 2-3 months post-intervention
Performance related to climbing-specific goals
Assess with the Performance Quality Rating Scale (PQRS) (visual analog scale of 1-10)
Measured: Baseline (2-3 months before the intervention, pre-intervention (immediatly before the intervention), post-intervention (immediatly after the intervention), follow-up 2-3 months post-intervention
Secondary outcomes (4)
Motor skills
Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency, Third Edition (BOT-3) (standard scores (mean = 50, SD = 10) or scale scores for subtests (mean = 10, SD = 3))
Measured: Baseline (2-3 months before the intervention, pre-intervention (immediatly before the intervention), post-intervention (immediatly after the intervention), follow-up 2-3 months post-intervention
Self-efficacy
Assess with the French adaptation of the General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES) (5-point Likert scale)
Measured: Baseline (2-3 months before the intervention, pre-intervention (immediatly before the intervention), post-intervention (immediatly after the intervention), follow-up 2-3 months post-intervention
Executive functioning
Assess with the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function, Second Edition (BRIEF-2) T-scores (mean = 50, SD = 10)
Measured: Baseline (2-3 months before the intervention, pre-intervention (immediatly before the intervention), post-intervention (immediatly after the intervention), follow-up 2-3 months post-intervention
Motivation for physical activity
Assess with the Pictorial Motivation Scale (PMS) for physical activity (3-point scale)
Measured: Baseline (2-3 months before the intervention, pre-intervention (immediatly before the intervention), post-intervention (immediatly after the intervention), follow-up 2-3 months post-intervention
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted27 May 2026
- Study start15 May 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion6 Jun 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion6 Jun 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD)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
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 16 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Université de Sherbrooke
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Emmanuelle Jasmin, Ph.D., Principal investigator, Université de Sherbrooke
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07609563
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 2026-6195
- Other IDs
- Mental health 2025-2026
- Acronym
- Climbing TDC
- Status last verified
- May 2026
- First submitted
- 12 May 2026
- Last updated
- 1 Jun 2026
- Results posted
- 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 1 Jun 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Therapeutic Group Climbing for Children With Developmental Coordination Disorder: Randomized Crossover Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07609563
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- Climbing TDC / 2026-6195
- Keywords
- Therapeutic climbing, Neurodevelopmental condition, Group intervention, Participation-oriented approach, Occupational therapy
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 16 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Université de SherbrookeUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 15 May 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- 6 Jun 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 6 Jun 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 27 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.
This study looks at whether therapeutic climbing - indoor climbing activities guided by therapists - can help children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD).
DCD is a condition where children have difficulty with motor skills and participation in everyday activities, and sometimes confidence in physical activities.
The climbing program is based on a problem-solving approach called CO-OP (Cognitive Orientation to daily Occupational Performance), in which children learn strategies to achieve goals.
Detailed description
Background: Therapeutic climbing, based on the Cognitive Orientation to daily Occupational Performance (CO-OP) approach, may improve goal performance and satisfaction in children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), as well as their motivation and self-efficacy toward physical activity.
Objective: This study aims to examine the effectiveness of a CO-OP-based group therapeutic climbing intervention for children with DCD.
Methods: A randomized crossover trial will be conducted with children with DCD. The intervention will consist of a 10-week group-based therapeutic climbing program delivered in an indoor climbing setting. Primary outcomes will include performance and satisfaction related to individualized goals. Secondary outcomes will assess motor skills, self-efficacy, executive functions, motivation toward physical activity, and transfer of learning. Effects of the intervention will be assessed using linear mixed effects models.
Results: It is hypothesized that participants will demonstrate improvements in both primary and secondary outcomes following the intervention.
Conclusions: This study will contribute to the evidence base regarding therapeutic climbing and CO-OP-based interventions for children with DCD, informing future rehabilitation practices.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Group 1 - Fall 2026 | Experimental | Other: CO-OP-based group therapeutic climbing interventionFirst group intervention |
| Group 2 - Winter 2027 | Experimental | Other: CO-OP-based group therapeutic climbing interventionSecond group intervention |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 8 to 12 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Child
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Diagnosis of DCD by a physician*.
- Ability to follow instructions, communicate verbally, interact with adults and peers, and use cognitive strategies.
- Ability to attend all assessment and intervention sessions in Sherbrooke.
- Ability to understand and speak French.
- Provision of child assent and parental consent. * If the target sample size (n = 16) is not reached, children with suspected DCD based on the Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire (DCDQ) (25,26) will also be considered. Eligibility will then require: (1) a score below the 15th percentile on the total motor composite or below the 5th percentile in a domain of the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency (BOT) (27,28), and (2) the identification of occupational challenges using the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) (29,30) during the initial assessment.
Key exclusion criteria (2 listed)
- Diagnosis of severe behavioral disorders, autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, and/or severe functional limitations.
- Prior proficiency in climbing or absence of climbing-related goals.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| CO-OP-based group therapeutic climbing interventionThe intervention will consist of a 10-week group-based therapeutic climbing program delivered once weekly on Saturday afternoons at an indoor climbing center. Sessions will be delivered by an occupational therapist (OT), two occupational therapy interns, and a certified climbing monitor (hereafter referred to as "intervention providers"). Each 90-minute session will follow the same global structure. The intervention is grounded in the CO-OP approach. | Other | Group 1 - Fall 2026, Group 2 - Winter 2027 |
Primary outcome
Performance related to individualized goals
Time frame: Baseline (2-3 months before the intevention, pre-intervention (immediatly before the intervention), post-intervention (immediatly after the intervention), follow-up 2-3 months post-intervention
Assess with the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) (visual analog scale of 1-10)
Satisfaction related to individualized goals
Time frame: Baseline (2-3 months before the intervention, pre-intervention (immediatly before the intervention), post-intervention (immediatly after the intervention), follow-up 2-3 months post-intervention
Assess with the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) (visual analog scale of 1-10)
Performance related to climbing-specific goals
Time frame: Baseline (2-3 months before the intervention, pre-intervention (immediatly before the intervention), post-intervention (immediatly after the intervention), follow-up 2-3 months post-intervention
Assess with the Performance Quality Rating Scale (PQRS) (visual analog scale of 1-10)
4 secondary outcomes
Motor skills
Time frame: Baseline (2-3 months before the intervention, pre-intervention (immediatly before the intervention), post-intervention (immediatly after the intervention), follow-up 2-3 months post-intervention
Self-efficacy
Time frame: Baseline (2-3 months before the intervention, pre-intervention (immediatly before the intervention), post-intervention (immediatly after the intervention), follow-up 2-3 months post-intervention
Executive functioning
Time frame: Baseline (2-3 months before the intervention, pre-intervention (immediatly before the intervention), post-intervention (immediatly after the intervention), follow-up 2-3 months post-intervention
Motivation for physical activity
Time frame: Baseline (2-3 months before the intervention, pre-intervention (immediatly before the intervention), post-intervention (immediatly after the intervention), follow-up 2-3 months post-intervention
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 1 Jun 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.
Emmanuelle Jasmin, Ph.D. principal investigator
Université de Sherbrooke
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing CO-OP-based group therapeutic climbing intervention in people with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), run by Université de Sherbrooke.
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 5 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: opening soon, 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.
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?
Contact Emmanuelle Jasmin, Ph.D. (1-819-342-0305, emmanuelle.jasmin@usherbrooke.ca), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Performance related to individualized goals (time frame: Baseline (2-3 months before the intevention, pre-intervention (immediatly before the intervention), post-intervention (immediatly after the intervention), follow-up 2-3 months post-intervention). The study lists 3 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 1 Jun 2026; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 30 Oct 2026.