Gamification Effects on the 6-Minute Walk Test in Children

NCT07216339 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 103847
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 20
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The goal of this study is to learn if adding a game to the 6-minute walk test for children with neuromuscular disorders will increase enjoyment and motivation to complete the test.

Conditions

Neuromuscular Diseases in Children

Keywords

Gamification; Walk Test

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Change in 6 minute walk distance

  Participants will walk back and forth in the clinic hallway for 6 minutes and distance will be recorded in meters

  Baseline and post intervention (approximately 20 minutes)

Secondary Outcomes (4)

• Change in Children's OMNI Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE) Scale

  Baseline and post intervention (approximately 20 minutes)

• Change in Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale (PACES)

  Baseline and post intervention (approximately 20 minutes)

• Recruitment Rate

  9 months

• Test completion rate

  9 months

Study Arms (2)

Gamified test

EXPERIMENTAL

child carries a Radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag to scan at each lap, watching avatar level up.

Other: Gamified 6MWT

Standard test

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

no game; same verbal cue every minute

Other: Standard 6MWT

Interventions

Standard 6MWT OTHER

ATS-standard instructions, no electronic system; Conducted in hallway measuring total length of 90ft (27.4 meters). Patients will walk down-and-back. A seated rest period of ≥10 min separates the two tests to minimize fatigue carry-over.

Standard test

Gamified 6MWT OTHER

identical course but child carries a RFID tag; at each lap the child taps an on an RFID reader, awarding a point and leveling-up an on-screen avatar; Conducted in hallway measuring total length of 90ft (27.4 meters). Patients will walk down-and-back.A seated rest period of ≥10 min separates the two tests to minimize fatigue carry-over.

Gamified test

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 6 Years - 12 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Child (0-17)

You may qualify if:

• Clinical diagnosis of, or active evaluation for, a neuromuscular disorder
• Able to ambulate (with or without usual orthoses/assistive device) sufficiently to attempt a 6-minute walk.
• Medically stable on the test day (no acute illness or recent surgery that would contraindicate moderate exercise).
• Child able to understand simple instructions in English and provide assent (if applicable based upon age and developmental level); parent/guardian able to provide consent in English.

You may not qualify if:

• Non-ambulatory or unsafe to attempt walking as judged by the treating physician.
• Severe cognitive/behavioral impairment that precludes following instructions.
• Acute cardiopulmonary, orthopedic, or other medical condition that makes walking unsafe on the test day.
• Non-English-speaking family (materials are available only in English for this pilot).
• Any child/parent who declines consent/assent or withdraws at any time.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• David Toupin: lead

Study Sites (1)

University of Kentucky

Lexington, Kentucky, 40506, United States

Location

Study Officials

• David N Toupin, MD

  University of Kentucky

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

David N Toupin, MD

CONTACT

859-218-1900; d.n.toupin@uky.edu

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: BASIC SCIENCE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assistant Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: October 10, 2025
• First Posted: October 14, 2025
• Study Start: April 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): December 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 1, 2026
• Last Updated: March 10, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-03

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

US (1)