Embodied Writing Versus Conventional Writing Practice for Handwriting

NCT07244120 | Recruiting DMC

• 1 other identifier: REC/RCR&AHS/AYESHAASIF
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 148
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This randomized clinical trial will involve 148 preschooler children of age group 3 to 6 years old with handwriting difficulties from Cambridge Foundation School FSD and Behan Je Memorial school FSD, Pakistan. The participants will be divided into two groups: Group A will follow conventional writing practices with parental ergonomics guidance, while Group B will engage in embodied writing practices combined with ergonomic education for parents. Over 8 weeks, handwriting legibility, speed, and motor coordination will be assessed pre- and post-intervention using the Handwriting Proficiency Screening Questionnaire and the Minnesota Handwriting Assessment Scale. The study aims to evaluate each approach's effectiveness in addressing handwriting challenges, providing insights into embodied learning's potential impact on early childhood education. Data analysis will be conducted using SPSS version 23.

Conditions

Child Development

Keywords

Embodied writing, Conventional writing, HPSQ, MHA.

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Hand Proficiency Screening Questionnaire

  The HPSQ-C can be used for a variety of academic and therapeutic purposes, including identifying handwriting deficiencies in school-aged children.An evaluation instrument called a handwriting proficiency screening questionnaire is used to gauge a person's handwriting abilities in a number of areas, including legibility, speed, motor control, and general handwriting quality. Its goal is to pinpoint issues or problems that could affect clear textual communication. It usually consists of questions about writing posture, grip, endurance, alignment, spacing, and letter formation. Teachers, therapists, and researchers frequently use this kind of questionnaire to evaluate children's or adults' handwriting skills. It can also be used as a preliminary screening tool to ascertain whether more thorough testing or intervention is required.

  Pre and post evaluation 1st week to 8th week

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Minnesota Handwriting Assessment MHA

  Pre and Post evaluation 1st week to 8th week

Study Arms (2)

Group A

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Conventional writing

Other: Conventional writing

Group B

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Embodied writing

Other: Embodied writing

Interventions

Conventional writing OTHER

Participants will perform: Tracing Patterns worksheets 5 repetitions of each for 15 min 3 times a week on alternate days for 8 weeks.Pencil Hold Exercises for Fingers: * Letter formation practice * Connecting Dots * Drawing Lines 5 repetitions of each for 25 min 3 times a week on alternate days for 8 weeks. 2. Guidelines about Correct Posture while writing will be given to Parents and class teacher. 3\. Post intervention assessment by tool MHA will use.

Group A

Embodied writing OTHER

Participants will involve whole body to perform these exercises: * Air Writing * Body Letter Shapes * Sand or Salt Tray tracing * Ribbon or Scarf writing 5 repetitions of each for 25 min 3 times a week on alternate days for 8 weeks. Obstacle course: * Balance Beam Letter (Walk along a beam or line on the floor, pausing to "write" a letter in the air or on a chalkboard at each end). * Letter Hopscotch (Hop between large letters drawn on the ground, calling out each letter's name or tracing its shape with a finger or a foot as they land on it). * Jump and Trace spots (Jump onto letter mats and trace the letter with fingers, a hand, or foot).5 repetitions of each for 15 min 3 times a week on alternate days for 8 weeks 3. Guidelines about Correct Posture while writing will be given to Parents and class teacher. 4\. Post intervention assessment by tool MHA will use.

Group B

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 3 Years - 6 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17)

You may qualify if:

• Child has poor handwriting as assessed by the HPSQ (20)
• Child is of age between 3-6 years.
• The child attends a regular primary school.
• Both boys and girls will be included in the study.

You may not qualify if:

• Developmental delay
• Physical impairment of upper extremity
• Hearing deficit (21)
• Visual problem
• Any recent trauma to upper limb
• Gross motor impairment
• Neurological deficit
• Receiving any Physiotherapy before

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Riphah International University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Imran Amjad

Lahore, Punjab Province, 5400, Pakistan

RECRUITING

Related Publications (2)

• Rosenblum S, Gafni-Lachter L. Handwriting Proficiency Screening Questionnaire for Children (HPSQ-C): Development, Reliability, and Validity. Am J Occup Ther. 2015 May-Jun;69(3):6903220030. doi: 10.5014/ajot.2015.014761.

  PMID: 25871594 BACKGROUND

• Klein E, Montgomery I, Zwicker JG. Evidence for pre-printing interventions: A scoping review. Journal of Occupational Therapy, Schools, & Early Intervention. 2021;14(4):400-36.

  BACKGROUND

Study Officials

• Ayesha Asif, MS-PT

  Riphah International University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

IMRAN AMJAD, PhD

CONTACT

9233224390125; imran.amjad@riphah.edu.pk

Muhammad Asif Javed, MS-PT

CONTACT

923224209422; a.javed@riphah.edu.pk

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT
• Masking Details: Participants will get separate treatment protocols and possible efforts will be put to mask the both groups about the treatment
• Purpose: OTHER
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Model Details: This randomized clinical trial will involve 148 preschooler children of age group 3 to 6 years old with handwriting difficulties from Cambridge Foundation School FSD and Behan Je Memorial school FSD, Pakistan. The participants will be divided into two groups: Group A will follow conventional writing practices with parental ergonomics guidance, while Group B will engage in embodied writing practices combined with ergonomic education for parents. Over 8 weeks, handwriting legibility, speed, and motor coordination will be assessed pre- and post-intervention using the Handwriting Proficiency Screening Questionnaire and the Minnesota Handwriting Assessment Scale. The study aims to evaluate each approach's effectiveness in addressing handwriting challenges, providing insights into embodied learning's potential impact on early childhood education. Data analysis will be conducted using SPSS version 23.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: November 17, 2025
• First Posted: November 24, 2025
• Study Start: October 27, 2025
• Primary Completion: January 25, 2026
• Study Completion: February 10, 2026
• Last Updated: November 24, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-11

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

PA (1)