KneuroKnits: Participation and Anxiety in People With Neurological Conditions Participating in a Knitting Group

NCT04639570 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 17-717
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 14
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The reported social benefits of knitting combined with the urgent need for social and activity-based programs in the disability community suggest that a knitting intervention may fill a substantial gap in available programs. Knitting may also be well suited to autistic strengths, combining sensory aspects (colourful sights, soft touch, rhythmic sounds), visual patterning, and repetitive actions. Surprisingly, no knitting programs for ASD or other conditions are reported in the literature. It is proposed that a knitting group can provide social and skill-building opportunities, improving real-world social outcomes for youth with ASD, and resulting in KneuroKnits, a program designed specifically to serve this need. The program will be designed and run by a collaborative team of clinicians, researchers, knitting experts, and a self-advocate with ASD. This program will enhance evidence supporting programs providing contexts for the dual goals of meaningful social interaction for young people with neurodevelopmental disorders, physical disabilities, and acquired brain injuries and building a real world creative skill that can facilitate social interaction within and beyond the program. This study will evaluate participants' experiences of the program as well as their levels of anxiety at various points during the program.

Conditions

Autism Spectrum Disorder; Neurodevelopmental Disorders; Acquired Brain Injury; Physical Disability

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (8)

• Self-reported Experience of Activity Settings (SEAS)

  The SEAS is a validated measure of participants' self-reports of their experiences of activity settings.

  End of first session (week 1)

• Self-reported Experience of Activity Settings (SEAS)

  The SEAS is a validated measure of participants' self-reports of their experiences of activity settings.

  End of last session (week 4)

• Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90; anxiety subscale; change during program participation)

  The SCL-90 has been used to evaluate anxiety in adults with ASD and is a broadly used measure in adults.

  Week 1

• Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90; anxiety subscale; change during program participation)

  The SCL-90 has been used to evaluate anxiety in adults with ASD and is a broadly used measure in adults.

  Week 4

• State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI; change between beginning and end of sessions; change between weeks 1 and 4)

  Measure of current symptoms of anxiety.

  Beginning of Session 1 (week 1)

• State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI; change between beginning and end of sessions; change between weeks 1 and 4)

  Measure of current symptoms of anxiety.

  End of Session 1 (week 1)

• State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI; change between beginning and end of sessions; change between weeks 1 and 4)

  Measure of current symptoms of anxiety.

  Beginning of Session 4 (week 4)

• State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI; change between beginning and end of sessions; change between weeks 1 and 4)

  Measure of current symptoms of anxiety.

  End of Session 4 (week 4)

Study Arms (1)

KneuroKnits group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in the KneuroKnits group

Other: KneuroKnits

Interventions

KneuroKnits OTHER

The KneuroKnits program will be based upon current knitting education practices and leading practices in facilitation of social participation for individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders, physical disabilities, and acquired brain injuries. The program will consist of 4 weekly sessions in which participants will learn knitting fundamentals and have opportunities to socialize over a shared occupation. The 4 weekly sessions of the KneuroKnits curriculum will include related knitting and social skills themes of the week. Each session will begin with a structured lesson on the knitting topic of the day, and will then continue into knitting practice and social interaction. Participants will be encouraged to practice their new skills (knitting and social) between sessions, and will be allowed to keep all materials that they use or create.

KneuroKnits group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 15 Years - 24 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• a confirmed diagnosis of a neurodevelopmental disorder, physical disability, and/or acquired brain injury;
• no diagnosis of intellectual disability (IQ\>=70);
• aged 15-24;
• can understand and follow single- or multi-step instructions with or without assistance (determined by personal or parental report); and
• can manipulate knitting materials (yarn, needles) as they are or with modifications and/or assistance. Indicators of ability will include tasks such as ability to tie a shoe or button shirt buttons.

You may not qualify if:

• \) has engaged in self-harm or physical aggression in the past 6 months, due to safety risks with knitting needles

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital: lead

Study Sites (1)

Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital

Toronto, Ontario, M4G1R8, Canada

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Autism Spectrum Disorder; Neurodevelopmental Disorders; Brain Injuries

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Child Development Disorders, Pervasive; Mental Disorders; Brain Diseases; Central Nervous System Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Craniocerebral Trauma; Trauma, Nervous System; Wounds and Injuries

Study Officials

• Melanie Penner, MD

  Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NA
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: SINGLE GROUP
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: November 2, 2020
• First Posted: November 20, 2020
• Study Start: November 3, 2018
• Primary Completion: February 9, 2019
• Study Completion: February 9, 2019
• Last Updated: November 20, 2020

Record last verified: 2020-11

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

CA (1)