Dual-tasking Effect on Gait in Children With Developmental Coordination Disorder

Launched by UNIVERSITY GHENT · May 1, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying how children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) walk while doing two things at once, which is called "dual-tasking." The researchers want to understand how these tasks affect their walking patterns. The study is looking for children aged 7 to 17 who have been officially diagnosed with DCD, can walk for at least 15 minutes, and have good vision. Children with certain conditions, like neurological disorders or those who have had surgery on their legs, cannot participate.

During the study, participants will spend about three hours at the Gait Real-time Analysis Interactive Lab (GRAIL) at the university hospital of Ghent. They will take a motor test and walk on a treadmill at different speeds. The researchers will collect information about their walking movements and muscle activity, especially when the children are asked to think or move their arms while walking. This research could help improve our understanding of how children with DCD can manage walking when they have to do more than one task at a time.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • They have an official DCD diagnosis;
• • Are aged between 7 and 17 years old;
• • Can walk at least 15 minutes consecutively;
• • Have good or corrected vision.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • They suffer from a neurological disorder;
• • Take medications that affect gait and balance;
• • Have undergone surgical procedures on the lower limbs in the past;
• • Experience pain in their lower limbs or back at the time of testing.