Immersive virtual reality to help children aged 6–13 improve handwriting
Effects of the Use of an Immersive Virtual Reality Device on Handwriting in Children Aged 6 to 13 With Handwriting Difficulties : a Randomized Multiple Baseline Single-case Experimental Design (SCED)
This project will try an immersive virtual reality program to help children 6 to 13 years old with handwriting difficulties improve the motor, postural, and visual skills needed for writing.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 12 (estimated) |
| Ages | 6 Years to 13 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Fondation Ildys Academic / other |
| Locations | 5 sites (Pont-de-l'Arche, Eure and 4 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT07040722 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This interventional study uses an immersive head-mounted display to deliver motivating, game-like training aimed at the motor, postural and visual attention skills that support handwriting. It uses a single-case experimental design (SCED) with an initial set of 3 children and three replications of 3 children each, for a total of 12 participants across four clinical settings, and compares baseline measurements with the VR intervention period. Handwriting quality and related functions (for example using the BHK and repeated performance measures of upper-limb and postural control) will be tracked to detect change within each child. Children with contraindications to VR (epilepsy, severe visual impairment, facial injury) are excluded and sessions take place at participating rehabilitation centers in France.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are children aged 6–13 with handwriting difficulties (BHK score ≥1 SD or functional handwriting problems) who are receiving or will receive rehabilitation and can understand instructions and complete assessments.
Not a fit: Children with contraindications to HMD use (epilepsy, severe visual impairment, facial injury) or whose handwriting problems are primarily due to non-motor cognitive or language disorders may not benefit from this VR approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the intervention could speed up handwriting learning, make practice more engaging, and improve everyday writing ability for affected children.
How similar studies have performed: Previous pediatric VR studies have shown benefits for upper-limb function and postural control, but using immersive VR specifically to improve handwriting is relatively novel and has limited prior evidence.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Age : 6-13 years * BHK: degradation score ≥ 1 standard deviation. The BHK will be administered at the time of the inclusion visit (V1) and/or child with writing difficulties in in daily activities. * Children benefiting or to benefit from rehabilitation care to improve handwriting skills. * Be able to understand instructions and complete all assessments. Exclusion Criteria: * Contraindications to using a virtual reality HMD * Severe visual impairment * Facial injury * Epilepsy * Lack of parental and/or child consent
Where this trial is running
Pont-de-l'Arche, Eure and 4 other locations
- Cabinet d'ergothérapie Scol'Ergo — Pont-de-l'Arche, Eure, France (Recruiting)
- Cabinet Ker ergo — Brest, Finistère, France (Recruiting)
- Fondation ILDYS — Brest, Finistère, France (Recruiting)
- Cabinet d'ergothérapie - Maison des Korrigans — Lesneven, Finistère, France (Recruiting)
- Fondation ILDYS — Brest, France, France (Not_yet_recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Jéromine HERVO, Coordinator Investigator — Fondation Ildys
- Study coordinator: Manon LE GOFF
- Email: manon.legoff@ildys.org
- Phone: 0298028308
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.