tDCS and Motor Learning in Children With DCD (NCT04490187) | Clinical Trial Compass
UnknownNot Applicable
tDCS and Motor Learning in Children With DCD
Canada14 participantsStarted 2018-09-27
Plain-language summary
Children with a neurodevelopmental condition called developmental coordination disorder (DCD) struggle to learn motor skills and perform daily activities, such as tying shoelaces, printing, riding a bicycle, or playing sports. Evidence suggests that motor-based interventions combined with non-invasive brain stimulation to the motor cortex (transcranial direct-current stimulation, tDCS) has been effective in improving motor skills in children with cerebral palsy and other neurodevelopmental disorders, but few studies have examined tDCS in chidlren with DCD. The purpose of this randomized, blinded, sham-controlled interventional trial is to explore the effectiveness of anodal tDCS over M1 combined with a motor learning task in increasing motor skill learning in children with DCD.
Who can participate
Age range
7 Years – 12 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:
* a score of ≤5th percentile in Manual Dexterity composite of the Movement Assessment Battery for Children-2 (MABC-2), as we are focusing on fine motor tasks in the study (Henderson 2007)
* meet DCD criteria on the DCD Questionnaire (Wilson 2007)
* right-handed as per the Edinburg Handedness Inventory (Oldfield 1971)
Exclusion Criteria:
* born preterm (gestation week\<37 weeks)
* diagnosed with any other neurodevelopmental disability such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (except ADHD)
* history of any neurological disorders
* taking any neuropsychiatric medications
* history of migraines
* having a scalp or skin condition (e.g., psoriasis or eczema)
* having a metallic implants (e.g., surgical clips or pacemaker)
* history of seizure or epilepsy
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
Purdue Pegboard Test (Tiffin 1968)
Timeframe: Before and after intervention; 6 weeks after intervention