NCT06943248

Sand Play vs. Cuff Training: Visual-Motor Skills in Autism

Effects of Image-Sand Play Therapy Versus Table Top Training Program With Weighted Cuffs on Visual Motor Integration in Children With Autism

• Status: Not Yet Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 30 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Riphah International University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 5 Years – 8 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

This study compares Image-Sand Play Therapy and Tabletop Training with Weighted Cuffs for improving Visual-Motor Integration (VMI) in children with autism. A 12-week randomized controlled trial will be conducted at Tanzeem-ul-Nisan, Faisalabad. Beery VMI will assess outcomes. Data will be analyzed using SPSS-23. Non-probability conventional sampling will be used. Sessions occur twice weekly.

Detailed description

This study compares the effectiveness of Image-Sand Play Therapy and Tabletop Training with Weighted Cuffs in improving Visual-Motor Integration (VMI) in children with autism. Methods: A randomized controlled trial will be conducted with children diagnosed with autism from Tanzeem-ul-Nisan, Faisalabad. Participants will be randomly assigned to either intervention group. Both therapies will run for 12 weeks, with two sessions per week. Image-Sand Play Therapy: Creative sand tray play guided by a therapist. Tabletop Training: Structured tasks with weighted cuffs for proprioceptive input. Assessment Tool: Beery VMI Sampling: Non-probability conventional sampling Data Analysis: SPSS version 23, using baseline, mid, and post-intervention scores to compare effectiveness.

Conditions

• Autism Spectrum Disorder

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Image-Sand Play Therapy	Over the course of seven sessions, the child initially engaged in chaotic sandbox play, showing difficulty in altering or organizing his scenes. By the fourth session, he began experimenting with different symbols, including familiar TV characters. From the fifth session onward, his play gained structure, evolving into strategic battle scenarios involving animals, loggers, and castles. By the seventh session, hero figures emerged, and the therapist noted improved classroom behavior and cooperation, though social challenges with peers remained.
OTHER	Table Top Training Program with Weighted Cuff	Task include: Stacking cones Lift a cone with one hand and stack it on top of a fixed cone. (The difficulty level was controlled by using resistance bands of varying weights or instructing patients to sit or stand while performing the task.) Task Therapy Program Stacking 3 × 3 cm blocks Pick up blocks one at a time by using one hand and stack them. (The difficulty level was controlled by using resistance bands of varying weights.) Tailwind Use both hands to push the handles of an instrument up and down to the sounds of a metronome. (The difficulty level was controlled by varying the angle.) Pinch exerciser Take a pinch pin and put it on a rod. (The difficulty level was controlled by varying the resistance of the pinch pin (5 grades) and the diameter of the rod (3 grades).) O'Connor Tweezer Dexterity Test Pick up a pin (2.5 cm long) and put it in a 15 mm hole. (The difficulty level was controlled by using different tweezers.)

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-04-15
• Primary completion: 2025-06-15
• Completion: 2025-08-15
• First posted: 2025-04-24
• Last updated: 2025-04-24