Adapted Table Tennis for Disabilities

NCT07671807 | Recruiting DMC

• 1 other identifier: Para_Tb_PA
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 40
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

In recent years, sports participation among individuals with disabilities has increased, driven by medical advancements, growing societal awareness, and improved accessibility. However, a significant proportion-about 60%-still do not engage in regular physical activity, often due to limited awareness and environmental barriers. Organizations like the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) have played a key role in promoting disability sports, as evidenced by the growth in Paralympic participation from 400 athletes in 1960 to an expected 4,400 in 2024. Physical activity offers both physical and psychological benefits for people with disabilities, including improved cardiovascular health, motor function, and emotional well-being. Although adapted table tennis is a promising, accessible sport for this population, research on its health effects remains limited. This study aims to evaluate the impact of a 12-week adapted table tennis program on the physical and mental health of individuals with disabilities and to explore its potential as a sustainable health-promotion strategy.

Conditions

Disability Physical

Keywords

table tennis; disabilities; adapted exercise

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (12)

• Muscle strength

  Static grip strength test

  Pre-intervention (T0), after 12 weeks of intervention (T1), and 6 months after intervention (T2).

• Volume of Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) in Liters

  FVC is the total volume of air that can be forcefully and completely exhaled after a full inspiration. It is measured in liters (L) using a digital spirometer. Higher values indicate greater lung volume and better respiratory capacity.

  Pre-intervention (T0), after 12 weeks of intervention (T1), and 6 months after intervention (T2).

• 6-Minute Walk/Push Test (6MWPT) Distance

  This outcome measures the maximal distance a participant can travel in 6 minutes on a hard, flat surface. Depending on the participant's ambulatory ability, this was conducted either by walking (6-Minute Walk Test) or by propelling a manual wheelchair (6-Minute Push Test). The total distance is recorded in meters (m). Higher values indicate better cardiopulmonary endurance and functional mobility.

  Pre-intervention (T0), after 12 weeks of intervention (T1), and 6 months after intervention (T2).

• Flexibility

  chair sit-and-reach test

  Pre-intervention (T0), after 12 weeks of intervention (T1), and 6 months after intervention (T2).

• Waist Circumference in Centimeters

  Waist circumference will be measured using a flexible, non-stretchable anthropometric tape. The measurement is taken at the midpoint between the lower margin of the last palpable rib and the top of the iliac crest (or at the level of the umbilicus, depending on your exact protocol). The data will be reported as a continuous variable in centimeters (cm). This measurement serves as an indicator of central adiposity and body composition changes.

  Pre-intervention (T0), after 12 weeks of intervention (T1), and 6 months after intervention (T2).

• Total Score on the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-Item (GAD-7) Scale

  The GAD-7 is a self-administered questionnaire used to assess the severity of generalized anxiety disorder symptoms. It consists of 7 items, with each item scored from 0 (not at all) to 3 (nearly every day). The total aggregated score ranges from 0 to 21. Higher scores indicate greater severity of anxiety symptoms (Score guidelines: 0-4 minimal, 5-9 mild, 10-14 moderate, 15-21 severe anxiety).

  Pre-intervention (T0), after 12 weeks of intervention (T1), and 6 months after intervention (T2)

• Bone Mineral Density (BMD) Assessed by Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry in g/cm^2

  Bone mineral density of the whole body (or specific regions such as lumbar spine and femoral neck) will be measured using Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA). The outcome is reported in grams per square centimeter (g/cm\^2). Higher values indicate stronger, denser bones and a lower risk of osteopenia or osteoporosis.

  Pre-intervention (T0), after 12 weeks of intervention (T1), and 6 months after intervention (T2)

• Number of Participants with Abnormal Blood Laboratory Values

  A comprehensive blood panel will be drawn to evaluate general health and physiological safety. The panel includes metabolic markers (HbA1C), lipid profile (Total cholesterol, Triglycerides, HDL, LDL), renal function and electrolytes (BUN, Cr, uric acid, Na, K, Ca, Mg), liver enzymes (GPT, GOT), complete blood count (CBC), albumin, CRP, and Vitamin D. The outcome is reported as the total number of participants exhibiting clinically significant abnormal values outside the standard laboratory reference ranges.

  Pre-intervention (T0), after 12 weeks of intervention (T1), and 6 months after intervention (T2)

• Volume of Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 Second (FEV1) in Liters

  FEV1 is the maximal volume of air exhaled in the first second of a forced expiration from a position of full inspiration. It is measured in liters (L) using a digital spirometer. Higher values indicate better pulmonary function and airway patency.

  Pre-intervention (T0), after 12 weeks of intervention (T1), and 6 months after intervention (T2).

• Ratio of FEV1 to FVC (FEV1/FVC)

  This outcome calculates the ratio of Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 Second (FEV1) to Forced Vital Capacity (FVC). It is expressed as a percentage (%). It serves as a clinical indicator of airway obstruction, with higher values generally indicating better respiratory mechanics.

  Pre-intervention (T0), after 12 weeks of intervention (T1), and 6 months after intervention (T2).

• Total Lean Body Mass Assessed by Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (in kg)

  Total body lean mass (which includes muscle mass and excludes fat and bone mineral content) will be measured using Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA). The outcome is reported in kilograms (kg). Higher values indicate greater muscle mass, reflecting positive structural adaptations to the adapted sports intervention.

  Pre-intervention (T0), after 12 weeks of intervention (T1), and 6 months after intervention (T2)

• Percentage of Total Body Fat Assessed by Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry

  Total body fat percentage will be measured using Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA). The outcome is calculated as fat mass divided by total body mass and reported as a percentage (%). This metric is used to evaluate changes in body composition and metabolic health.

  Pre-intervention (T0), after 12 weeks of intervention (T1), and 6 months after intervention (T2)

Other Outcomes (7)

• Sensory, Motor, and F-wave Latencies of the Median and Ulnar Nerves (in ms)

  Pre-intervention (T0), after 12 weeks of intervention (T1), and 6 months after intervention (T2).

• Sensory and Motor Nerve Conduction Velocities of the Median and Ulnar Nerves (in m/s)

  Pre-intervention (T0), after 12 weeks of intervention (T1), and 6 months after intervention (T2).

• Number of Participants with Upper Limb Neuropathy (Median or Ulnar)

  Pre-intervention (T0), after 12 weeks of intervention (T1), and 6 months after intervention (T2).

Study Arms (2)

Adapted table tennis training group

EXPERIMENTAL

The participants who engage in weekly 2-hour group table tennis sessions for 12 weeks.

Other: Adapted table tennis training

Control group

NO INTERVENTION

The participants who only receive regular medical management without exercise training

Interventions

Adapted table tennis training OTHER

Under the guidance of a professional adapted sports coach, participants in the experimental group will engage in weekly 2-hour group table tennis sessions for 12 weeks. The sessions will include warm-up exercises, basic table tennis techniques, skill practice, and cool-down stretching exercises.

Adapted table tennis training group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 75 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Individuals aged 18 to 75 years who hold a disability identification certificate issued by the Taiwan government and have been assessed by a physician and a professional coach as suitable for participating in adapted table tennis, with a willingness to take part in the study; Participants must respond "No" to all questions in the first section of the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire for Everyone (PAR-Q+ 2024 edition) or, if they respond "Yes" to one or more questions in the first section, must respond "No" to all questions in the second section.

You may not qualify if:

• Individuals with uncontrolled cardiovascular diseases or relevant neurological history.
• Hearing impairment.
• Cognitive dysfunction.
• Individuals with uncontrolled psychiatric disorders who are unable to comply with the assessments.
• Individuals with color vision deficiencies or visual impairments.
• Pregnant women (self-reported).
• Individuals who have undergone lower limb musculoskeletal surgery or experienced musculoskeletal injuries within the past 6 months.
• Individuals with a history of significant head trauma.
• Individuals unable to comply with the testing schedule.
• Individuals advised by a physician to avoid moderate to high-intensity exercise or those deemed unsuitable for physical activity.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Kaohsiung Medical University Chung-Ho Memorial Hospital: lead

Study Sites (1)

Kaohsiung Medical University Chung-Ho Memorial Hospital

Kaohsiung City, Taiwan, 807, Taiwan

RECRUITING

Study Officials

• Chia-Ling Lee, MD

  Kaohsiung Medical University Chung-Ho Memorial Hospital, Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine Department

  STUDY CHAIR

Central Study Contacts

Chia-Ling Lee, MD

CONTACT

886975357361; cathyleetw@gmail.com

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NON RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: OTHER
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Model Details: This study is a concurrent controlled trial with a parallel design. The experimental group will undergo adapted table tennis training, while the control group will only receive regular medical care.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 9, 2025
• First Posted: June 26, 2026
• Study Start: July 8, 2025
• Primary Completion (Estimated): June 30, 2028
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 31, 2028
• Last Updated: June 26, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-06

Locations

TW (1)