Occupational Therapy-Based Dance Program for Children With ADHD

NCT07731893 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: OTDANCE-ADHD-2026-001
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 36
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental condition that can affect children's attention, movement, balance, sensory processing, and self-esteem. These difficulties may interfere with participation in daily activities, school performance, and social interactions. The purpose of this randomized controlled trial is to evaluate whether an occupational therapy-based dance program can improve cognitive-motor performance, self-esteem, functional balance, and sensory processing in children with ADHD. Participants will be randomly assigned to either an intervention group receiving a structured 5-week occupational therapy-based dance program or a control group receiving no intervention during the study period. Outcomes will be assessed before and after the intervention using standardized assessment tools. The study hypothesizes that children who participate in the occupational therapy-based dance program will demonstrate greater improvements in cognitive-motor performance, self-esteem, functional balance, and sensory processing than children in the control group.

Conditions

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Keywords

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD); Occupational Therapy; Dance Therapy; Children; Cognitive-Motor Performance; Sensory Processing; Functional Balance; Self-Esteem; Randomized Controlled Trial; Pediatric Rehabilitation

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Cognitive-Motor Performance

  Cognitive-motor performance assessed using the Praxis and Spatial Perception subdomains of the Dynamic Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment for Children (DOTCA-Ch).

  Baseline and immediately after the 5-week intervention

Other Outcomes (3)

• Self-Esteem

  Baseline and immediately after the 5-week intervention

• Functional Balance

  Baseline and immediately after the 5-week intervention

• Sensory Processing

  Baseline and immediately after the 5-week intervention

Study Arms (2)

Occupational Therapy-Based Dance Program

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants received a 5-week occupational therapy-based dance program consisting of two 45-minute sessions per week (10 sessions in total). The program included structured dance activities designed to improve cognitive-motor performance, self-esteem, functional balance, and sensory processing.

Behavioral: Occupational Therapy-Based Dance Program

Control

NO INTERVENTION

Participants in the control group did not receive the occupational therapy-based dance program during the study period and continued their usual daily activities.

Interventions

Occupational Therapy-Based Dance Program BEHAVIORAL

Participants received a structured occupational therapy-based dance program for 5 weeks, consisting of two 45-minute sessions per week (10 sessions in total). The intervention included rhythm- and movement-based activities designed to improve cognitive-motor performance, self-esteem, functional balance, and sensory processing. Sessions were conducted by an occupational therapist following a standardized intervention protocol.

Occupational Therapy-Based Dance Program

Eligibility Criteria

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

You may qualify if:

• Children aged 6 to 12 years.
• Diagnosis of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) according to DSM-5 criteria by a qualified physician.
• Ability to follow verbal instructions and participate in the intervention.
• Written informed consent obtained from a parent or legal guardian.

You may not qualify if:

• Presence of neurological, orthopedic, visual, or hearing impairments that could affect participation.
• Diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability, or other major psychiatric disorders.
• Participation in another structured rehabilitation or dance program during the study period.
• Inability to complete the assessment procedures.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• IREM CEYHAN: lead

Study Sites (1)

Hacettepe University, Department of Occupational Therapy, Pediatric Unit

Ankara, Ankara, 06100, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders; Neurodevelopmental Disorders; Mental Disorders

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Research Assistant

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 23, 2026
• First Posted: July 28, 2026
• Study Start: April 1, 2026
• Primary Completion: June 10, 2026
• Study Completion: June 10, 2026
• Last Updated: July 28, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-07

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share
• Shared Documents: STUDY PROTOCOL, SAP
• Time Frame: Data will be made available after publication of the primary study results. Requests for access should be submitted to the corresponding author and will be evaluated by the study investigators.
• Access Criteria: Qualified researchers with a scientifically valid proposal.

Locations

TU (1)