Effects Of DPPT On Motor Skills And Sleep In Children With Autism

NCT07248254 | Recruiting DMC

• 1 other identifier: REC/RCR&AHS/AIZAZAMIR
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 40
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

It will be conducted as a Quasi Experimental study across pediatric therapy centers, specialized autism clinics, and special schools. Using non-probability convenience sampling, the study will enroll Autistic children aged 6-10 years who exhibit sensory processing difficulties, motor skill delays, and sleep disturbances. Exclusion criteria include other neurological or developmental disorders and children with major physical problems. Motor skills will be assessed with the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency (BOT-2), and sleep quality will be measured using the Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ). Participants will be receiving Wilbarger DPPT along with their usual therapy sessions, which may include general occupational therapy, physical therapy, ABA etc. The DPPT intervention will occur three times per week for six weeks, with each session lasting approximately 30-45 minutes, including brushing, joint compressions, and calming activities. Data will be collected at baseline and post-intervention, focusing on motor skill improvement and sleep quality changes. SPSS version 23 will be used for statistical analysis.

Conditions

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Keywords

Wilbarger Protocol, DPPT, Autism

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Bruininks-Oseretsky test for Motor Proficiency (BOT-2)

  The Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency, Second Edition (BOT-2) is an individually administered test that uses engaging, goal-directed activities to measure a wide array of motor skills in individuals ages 4 through 21. The BOT-2 uses a subtest and composite structure that highlights motor performance in the broad functional areas of stability, mobility, strength, coordination, and object manipulation.

  Baseline,6 weeks

• Children Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ)

  The Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ) is one of the most commonly used assessment tools for pediatric sleep. It is used both in research and in the clinical field. The CSHQ is a 45-item questionnaire. Each question on the questionnaire is rated on a 3-point scale based on the frequency of occurrence within the past week. Resp Sets are categorized as ''usually'' (5-7 times within the past week), ''sometimes'' (2-4 times within the past week), or ''rarely (never of 1 time within the past week). Some items on the questionnaire are reverse-scored, ensuring that higher scores consistently indicate problem behaviors. All responses are totaled to create a Total Sleep Disturbance index (range from 33 99), with a score exceeding 41 suggesting the presence of a pediatric sleep disorder.

  Baseline,6 weeks

Study Arms (1)

Intervention group

OTHER

Participants will receive the Wilbarger Deep Pressure and Proprioceptive Technique (DPPT) along with their usual therapies (OT, PT, ABA) to improve sensory processing, motor skills, and sleep in children with ASD. Sessions will be conducted in a calm setting, with explanations provided to ensure comfort. The DPPT includes 5-10 minutes of deep-pressure brushing using a soft surgical brush on the arms, back, legs, and feet, followed by 5-10 minutes of gentle joint compressions on shoulders, elbows, knees, and ankles (3-5 seconds each). Calming activities like deep breathing or quiet play will follow to aid sensory integration. The intervention will occur thrice weekly for six weeks (30-45 minutes/session). Progress will be measured using BOT-2 for motor skills and CSHQ for sleep at baseline and post-intervention.

Other: Wilbarger Deep Pressure and Proprioceptive Technique (DPPT)

Interventions

Wilbarger Deep Pressure and Proprioceptive Technique (DPPT) OTHER

Participants will receive the Wilbarger Deep Pressure and Proprioceptive Technique (DPPT). Each session will begin in a calm, quiet environment to reduce distractions, with the therapist explaining the process in simple terms. The brushing protocol involves using a soft surgical brush to apply firm yet gentle deep pressure to the arms, back, legs, and feet for about 5-10 minutes. This is followed by gentle joint compressions to the shoulders, elbows, knees, and ankles, each held for 3-5 seconds, lasting another 5-10 minutes. Afterward, calming activities such as deep breathing or quiet play help the child integrate the sensory input. The DPPT will be administered three times per week for six weeks, with each session lasting approximately 30-45 minutes, including brushing, joint compressions, and calming activities.

Intervention group

Eligibility Criteria

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

You may qualify if:

• Children diagnosed with Autism
• Both Genders Males and Females
• Age 6-11
• Autistic children diagnosed with sensory processing disorder and reported with motor skill delays and sleep disturbances.
• Children scoring within the "Definite Difference" range in sensory processing areas on the Sensory Profile 2.

You may not qualify if:

• Children with other neurological or Developmental disorders
• No serious physical or behavioral impairments (blindness and deafness)
• Children with multiple diagnosis along with ASD.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Riphah International University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Mind Care Therapy Centre

Lahore, Punjab Province, 54000, Pakistan

RECRUITING

Related Publications (1)

• Schoen SA, Schaaf RC, Mailloux Z, Bundy A, Lane S, May-Benson TA, Parham LD, Roley SS. Response: Commentary: Evaluating Sensory Integration/Sensory Processing Treatment: Issues and Analysis. Front Integr Neurosci. 2022 Jun 7;16:874320. doi: 10.3389/fnint.2022.874320. eCollection 2022. No abstract available.

  PMID: 35747497 BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Autism Spectrum Disorder; Autistic Disorder

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Child Development Disorders, Pervasive; Neurodevelopmental Disorders; Mental Disorders

Study Officials

• AIZA ZAMIR, 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: NA
• Masking: NONE
• Masking Details: Participants will get separate treatment protocols and possible efforts will be put to mask the both group about the treatment.
• Purpose: OTHER
• Intervention Model: SINGLE GROUP
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Model Details: A quasi-experimental study will be conducted across pediatric therapy centers, autism clinics, and special schools using convenience sampling. Autistic children aged 6-10 years with sensory processing difficulties, motor delays, and sleep disturbances will be included, excluding those with other neurological or major physical disorders. Motor skills will be assessed using the BOT-2 and sleep quality with the CSHQ. Participants will receive the Wilbarger DPPT along with routine therapies (e.g., OT, PT, ABA) three times weekly for six weeks (30-45 min/session). Data will be collected at baseline and post-intervention to assess motor and sleep improvements. Statistical analysis will be performed using SPSS v23.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: November 18, 2025
• First Posted: November 25, 2025
• Study Start: October 29, 2025
• Primary Completion: February 20, 2026
• Study Completion: February 23, 2026
• Last Updated: February 25, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-02

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

PA (1)