Neuro Developmental DelayAQUA vs SRI TrNCT07646951
Aquatic Therapy Versus Sensory Room Intervention for Sensory-Motor Function in Children With Sensory Processing Disorder
A study testing Aquatic Therapy in people with Neuro Developmental Delay and Sensory Disorders, run by MTI University.
Trial summary
This randomized clinical trial compares the effects of aquatic therapy and conventional sensory room intervention on adaptive neural responses and sensory-motor praxis in children with Monochannel Sensory Processing Disorder. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of the two intervention groups. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 4 to 8 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Neuro Developmental Delay, Sensory Disorders
- What is being tested?
- Aquatic Therapy
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 60 participants
- Where
- No sites listed yet
- Study dates
- 15 Jun 2026to 20 Dec 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 4 to 8 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Child
Who may be able to join
- Children aged 4-8 years with a confirmed diagnosis of monochannel sensory processing disorder.
Who cannot join
- Medical Instability: Any acute illness, fever, or infectious diseases (e.g., ear infections or open wounds) that contraindicate pool therapy.
- Neurological Risks: Children with uncontrolled seizures or epilepsy that poses a safety risk in an aquatic environment.
- Severe Phobia: Extreme fear of water (hydrophobia) that prevents active participation in aquatic exercises.
- Recent Surgery: Any recent surgical interventions (orthopedic or neurological) that have not yet reached full clinical clearance for physical activity.
- Incontinence: Severe lack of bowel or bladder control unless specific medical swim diapers are utilized according to facility policy.
About this study
Official title: Comparative Impact of Aquatic Therapy and Conventional Sensory Room Intervention on Adaptive Neural Responses and Sensory-Motor Praxis in Children With Monochannel Sensory Processing Disorder: A Randomized Clinical Trial
This randomized clinical trial compares the effects of aquatic therapy and conventional sensory room intervention on adaptive neural responses and sensory-motor praxis in children with Monochannel Sensory Processing Disorder. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of the two intervention groups. Outcomes related to sensory processing, sensory-motor praxis, and adaptive responses will be evaluated before and after treatment. The study aims to determine whether aquatic therapy provides additional benefits compared with conventional sensory room intervention in improving sensory integration and functional performance in affected children.
Read the detailed description
Monochannel sensory processing disorder refers to a condition where a child tends to rely heavily on a single sensory channel-usually visual, auditory, or tactile-while ignoring or underutilizing others. This limited sensory integration can negatively affect the child's ability to interact with the environment, learn effectively, and develop age-appropriate motor and cognitive skills. Children with monochannel processing often struggle with transitions, emotional regulation, and tasks requiring multi-sensory coordination. Aquatic therapy is a powerful therapeutic intervention that uses the unique properties of water-such as buoyancy, hydrostatic pressure, resistance, and temperature-to create a multisensory environment that enhances motor control, body awareness, attention, and sensory integration. These qualities make it particularly effective for children with sensory processing difficulties. Aquatic therapy supports sensory processing by stimulating multiple sensory systems simultaneously. For example, the pressure of the water provides deep proprioceptive input, movement through water enhances vestibular feedback, and water temperature activates tactile receptors. This simultaneous multisensory input can help children shift from single-sense reliance to more integrated, adaptive responses.
60 children diagnosed with monochannel sensory processing disorder, aged 4-8 years (both sexes) Two equal groups: Intervention group (Aquatic therapy) and Control group (Sensory room therapy), 30 children each.
Two equal groups: Intervention group (Aquatic therapy) and Control group (Sensory room therapy), 30 children each.
Inclusion Criteria:
Children aged 4-8 years with a confirmed diagnosis of monochannel sensory processing disorder.
Exclusion Criteria:
Subjects will be excluded from the study if they meet any of the following conditions:
- Medical Instability: Any acute illness, fever, or infectious diseases (e.g., ear infections or open wounds) that contraindicate pool therapy.
- Neurological Risks: Children with uncontrolled seizures or epilepsy that poses a safety risk in an aquatic environment.
- Severe Phobia: Extreme fear of water (hydrophobia) that prevents active participation in aquatic exercises.
- Recent Surgery: Any recent surgical interventions (orthopedic or neurological) that have not yet reached full clinical clearance for physical activity.
- Incontinence: Severe lack of bowel or bladder control unless specific medical swim diapers are utilized according to facility policy.
Measuring Tools:
To evaluate the transition from monochannel reliance to multi-sensory integration, the following standardized tools will be utilized:
- Sensory Processing Measure (SPM-2): Used to assess multi-sensory integration across different environments (home and school) and provide a total sensory systems score.
- Evaluation of Ayres Sensory Integration (EASI): Employed to measure adaptive neural responses, sensory perception, and motor planning (praxis).
- Sensory Integration and Praxis Tests (SIPT): A comprehensive diagnostic battery used to evaluate the relationship between sensory processing and motor behavior in depth.
Procedure (brief outline):
- Evaluation procedures: Pre-treatment assessment of sensory integration and processing abilities to each group.
Group A: Aquatic Therapy Intervention (Experimental Group) The aquatic program utilizes the physical properties of water (buoyancy, hydrostatic pressure, and resistance) to provide multi-sensory input.
Group B: Conventional Sensory Room Therapy (Control Group) This group receives land-based sensory integration therapy in a standard clinical setting.
- Primary Outcome: Significant improvement in the Total Sensory Systems Score (SPM-2), indicating a shift from monochannel reliance to effective multi-sensory integration.
- Secondary Outcomes: Enhanced Adaptive Neural Responses and sensory perception as measured by EASI, and improved Sensory-Motor Praxis and coordination as quantified by SIPT
- Conditions
- Neuro Developmental Delay, Sensory Disorders
- Being tested
- Aquatic Therapy
- Keywords
- Aquatic Therapy vs Sensory Room + SPD + Children, sensory disorder - aquatic therapy
- Medical subject headings
- Sensation Disorders
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Aquatic TherapyBehavioural
Participants will receive aquatic therapy sessions conducted in a therapeutic pool under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist. The program will focus on improving sensory-motor integration, postural control, balance, muscle tone regulation, and functional motor skills in children with sensory processing disorder. Sessions will be delivered multiple times per week over a specified intervention period, with individualized exercises adapted to each child's abilities and therapeutic goals.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Aquatic Therapy Group | Experimental | Participants will receive aquatic therapy sessions as the sole intervention. The program aims to improve motor function, balance, muscle tone regulation, and upper limb coordination in children with spastic cerebral palsy. Outcomes will be assessed before and after the intervention period. Receives: Behavioral: Aquatic Therapy |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Change in Total Sensory Systems Score (SPM-2)
Measured: Baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately after completion of the intervention period (post-intervention).
Significant improvement in the Total Sensory Systems Score (SPM-2), indicating a shift from monochannel reliance to effective multi-sensory integration.
The primary outcome will be measured using the Sensory Processing Measure-2 (SPM-2). The Total Sensory Systems Score will be assessed to evaluate changes in sensory integration abilities, specifically the shift from monochannel sensory processing to more effective multisensory integration. Assessments will be conducted at baseline and after completion of the intervention period.
Measured: Baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately after completion of the intervention period (post-intervention).
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted15 Jun 2026
- Study start15 Jun 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion15 Nov 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion20 Dec 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Neuro Developmental DelayStudies 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
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- Two equal groups: Intervention group (Aquatic therapy) and Control group (Sensory room therapy), 30 children each. Group A: Aquatic Therapy Intervention (Experimental Group) The aquatic program utilizes the physical properties of water (buoyancy, hydrostatic pressure, and resistance) to provide multi-sensory input. * Warm-up (10 min): Acclimatization to water temperature and gentle rhythmic movements to reduce tactile defensiveness. * Sensory Integration Phase (30 min): * Proprioceptive \& Vestibular Input: Underwater jumping, pushing against water resistance, and rotational movements to enhance body awareness. * Tactile Stimulation: Using different water jets or textures (sponges/toys) to stimulate skin receptors and shift from monochannel reliance. * Multi-sensory Tasks: Reaching for colored objects while maintaining balance against water turbulence to integrate visual and motor systems. * Cool-down (10 min): Floating and deep breathing exercises utilizing hydrostatic pressure for ca
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 60 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- MTI University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Rana Nabil Hussein Mohamed, MTI University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07646951
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- RE/2111/MTI.PT/2605121
- Acronym
- AQUA vs SRI Tr
- Status last verified
- Jun 2026
- First submitted
- 9 Jun 2026
- Last updated
- 15 Jun 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 15 Jun 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Comparative Impact of Aquatic Therapy and Conventional Sensory Room Intervention on Adaptive Neural Responses and Sensory-Motor Praxis in Children With Monochannel Sensory Processing Disorder: A Randomized Clinical Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07646951
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- AQUA vs SRI Tr / RE/2111/MTI.PT/2605121
- Conditions
- Neuro Developmental Delay, Sensory Disorders
- Keywords
- Aquatic Therapy vs Sensory Room + SPD + Children, sensory disorder - aquatic therapy
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 60 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- MTI UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 15 Jun 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- 15 Nov 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 20 Dec 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 15 Jun 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 randomized clinical trial compares the effects of aquatic therapy and conventional sensory room intervention on adaptive neural responses and sensory-motor praxis in children with Monochannel Sensory Processing Disorder. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of the two intervention groups. Outcomes related to sensory processing, sensory-motor praxis, and adaptive responses will be evaluated before and after treatment. The study aims to determine whether aquatic therapy provides additional benefits compared with conventional sensory room intervention in improving sensory integration and functional performance in affected children.
Detailed description
Monochannel sensory processing disorder refers to a condition where a child tends to rely heavily on a single sensory channel-usually visual, auditory, or tactile-while ignoring or underutilizing others. This limited sensory integration can negatively affect the child's ability to interact with the environment, learn effectively, and develop age-appropriate motor and cognitive skills. Children with monochannel processing often struggle with transitions, emotional regulation, and tasks requiring multi-sensory coordination. Aquatic therapy is a powerful therapeutic intervention that uses the unique properties of water-such as buoyancy, hydrostatic pressure, resistance, and temperature-to create a multisensory environment that enhances motor control, body awareness, attention, and sensory integration. These qualities make it particularly effective for children with sensory processing difficulties. Aquatic therapy supports sensory processing by stimulating multiple sensory systems simultaneously. For example, the pressure of the water provides deep proprioceptive input, movement through water enhances vestibular feedback, and water temperature activates tactile receptors. This simultaneous multisensory input can help children shift from single-sense reliance to more integrated, adaptive responses.
60 children diagnosed with monochannel sensory processing disorder, aged 4-8 years (both sexes) Two equal groups: Intervention group (Aquatic therapy) and Control group (Sensory room therapy), 30 children each.
Two equal groups: Intervention group (Aquatic therapy) and Control group (Sensory room therapy), 30 children each.
Inclusion Criteria:
Children aged 4-8 years with a confirmed diagnosis of monochannel sensory processing disorder.
Exclusion Criteria:
Subjects will be excluded from the study if they meet any of the following conditions:
- Medical Instability: Any acute illness, fever, or infectious diseases (e.g., ear infections or open wounds) that contraindicate pool therapy.
- Neurological Risks: Children with uncontrolled seizures or epilepsy that poses a safety risk in an aquatic environment.
- Severe Phobia: Extreme fear of water (hydrophobia) that prevents active participation in aquatic exercises.
- Recent Surgery: Any recent surgical interventions (orthopedic or neurological) that have not yet reached full clinical clearance for physical activity.
- Incontinence: Severe lack of bowel or bladder control unless specific medical swim diapers are utilized according to facility policy.
Measuring Tools:
To evaluate the transition from monochannel reliance to multi-sensory integration, the following standardized tools will be utilized:
- Sensory Processing Measure (SPM-2): Used to assess multi-sensory integration across different environments (home and school) and provide a total sensory systems score.
- Evaluation of Ayres Sensory Integration (EASI): Employed to measure adaptive neural responses, sensory perception, and motor planning (praxis).
- Sensory Integration and Praxis Tests (SIPT): A comprehensive diagnostic battery used to evaluate the relationship between sensory processing and motor behavior in depth.
Procedure (brief outline):
- Evaluation procedures: Pre-treatment assessment of sensory integration and processing abilities to each group.
Group A: Aquatic Therapy Intervention (Experimental Group) The aquatic program utilizes the physical properties of water (buoyancy, hydrostatic pressure, and resistance) to provide multi-sensory input.
Group B: Conventional Sensory Room Therapy (Control Group) This group receives land-based sensory integration therapy in a standard clinical setting.
- Primary Outcome: Significant improvement in the Total Sensory Systems Score (SPM-2), indicating a shift from monochannel reliance to effective multi-sensory integration.
- Secondary Outcomes: Enhanced Adaptive Neural Responses and sensory perception as measured by EASI, and improved Sensory-Motor Praxis and coordination as quantified by SIPT
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 1
- Model description
- Two equal groups: Intervention group (Aquatic therapy) and Control group (Sensory room therapy), 30 children each. Group A: Aquatic Therapy Intervention (Experimental Group) The aquatic program utilizes the physical properties of water (buoyancy, hydrostatic pressure, and resistance) to provide multi-sensory input. * Warm-up (10 min): Acclimatization to water temperature and gentle rhythmic movements to reduce tactile defensiveness. * Sensory Integration Phase (30 min): * Proprioceptive \& Vestibular Input: Underwater jumping, pushing against water resistance, and rotational movements to enhance body awareness. * Tactile Stimulation: Using different water jets or textures (sponges/toys) to stimulate skin receptors and shift from monochannel reliance. * Multi-sensory Tasks: Reaching for colored objects while maintaining balance against water turbulence to integrate visual and motor systems. * Cool-down (10 min): Floating and deep breathing exercises utilizing hydrostatic pressure for ca
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Aquatic Therapy Group | Experimental | Behavioral: Aquatic TherapyParticipants will receive aquatic therapy sessions as the sole intervention. The program aims to improve motor function, balance, muscle tone regulation, and upper limb coordination in children with spastic cerebral palsy. Outcomes will be assessed before and after the intervention period. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 4 to 8 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Child
Key inclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Children aged 4-8 years with a confirmed diagnosis of monochannel sensory processing disorder.
Key exclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Medical Instability: Any acute illness, fever, or infectious diseases (e.g., ear infections or open wounds) that contraindicate pool therapy.
- Neurological Risks: Children with uncontrolled seizures or epilepsy that poses a safety risk in an aquatic environment.
- Severe Phobia: Extreme fear of water (hydrophobia) that prevents active participation in aquatic exercises.
- Recent Surgery: Any recent surgical interventions (orthopedic or neurological) that have not yet reached full clinical clearance for physical activity.
- Incontinence: Severe lack of bowel or bladder control unless specific medical swim diapers are utilized according to facility policy.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Aquatic TherapyParticipants will receive aquatic therapy sessions conducted in a therapeutic pool under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist. The program will focus on improving sensory-motor integration, postural control, balance, muscle tone regulation, and functional motor skills in children with sensory processing disorder. Sessions will be delivered multiple times per week over a specified intervention period, with individualized exercises adapted to each child's abilities and therapeutic goals. | Behavioural | Aquatic Therapy Group |
Primary outcome
Change in Total Sensory Systems Score (SPM-2)
Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately after completion of the intervention period (post-intervention).
Significant improvement in the Total Sensory Systems Score (SPM-2), indicating a shift from monochannel reliance to effective multi-sensory integration.
Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately after completion of the intervention period (post-intervention).
The primary outcome will be measured using the Sensory Processing Measure-2 (SPM-2). The Total Sensory Systems Score will be assessed to evaluate changes in sensory integration abilities, specifically the shift from monochannel sensory processing to more effective multisensory integration. Assessments will be conducted at baseline and after completion of the intervention period.
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 15 Jun 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.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Aquatic Therapy in people with Neuro Developmental Delay and Sensory Disorders, run by MTI University.
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 1 inclusion and 5 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 15 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?
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?
Change in Total Sensory Systems Score (SPM-2) (time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately after completion of the intervention period (post-intervention).). 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 15 Jun 2026.