Pediatric Massage for Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder (NCT04220086) | Clinical Trial Compass
CompletedNot Applicable
Pediatric Massage for Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder
China78 participantsStarted 2021-05-30
Plain-language summary
This study was designed as a randomized controlled clinical trial of pediatric massage for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). 72 ASD children will be recruited and randomly divided into two groups: the treatment group (pediatric massage + usual care, n=36) and the control group (usual care/waitlist group, n=36).30 healty controls will be recruited. Children in the treatment group will received 12 weeks pediatric massage by doctors and their own parents.
The Autism Behavior Checklist (ABC), Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS), Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC), Social Responsiveness Scale-Second Edition (SRS-2), Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ) and Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ) will be used to assess the clinical behavioral changes of all participants, and to analyze the clinical effectiveness and safety of pediatric massage for children with ASD.
Electroencephalography (EEG) and brain functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) will be recorded before and after treatment, to observe the potential brain target of pediatric massage for children with ASD.
Who can participate
Age range
3 Years – 10 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion criteria
. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has been diagnosed and a diagnosis certificate has been provided. The diagnostic criteria is based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders fifth version (DSM-V) criteria of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Score of CARS≥30;
. Aged 3-10, right-handedness ；
. The parents (or other legal guardians) of participants to give consent and to cooperate with the treatment and data collection.
Exclusion criteria
. The conventional treatment accepted currently does not belong to the following three categories: Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), Educational intervention or Interpersonal development intervention;
. Patients with any major treatment changes within 4 weeks prior to joining the study;
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Changes in the Autism Behavior Checklist (ABC)
Timeframe: Baseline, 4 week, 8 week, 12 week, and follow-up assessment at the week of 4, 8, 12 after treatment
. Patients or their parents with other neurodevelopmental disorders, severe psychiatric diseases, genetic disease, or other severe systemic disease (such as history of severe head trauma, or stroke);
. Seizure within the last year prior to enrolment, or the need for seizure medications either at present or in the past;
. Being involved in other clinical trials;
. Patients received pediatric massage therapy in the past two months, or are receiving pediatric massage;
. During the study period, parents will be required not to initiate any new interventions or modify current interventions unless absolutely necessary. If a change must be made, the parent is required to inform investigator, who decides whether the subject should stop participating in the study based on situation.