Improving mother-child relationships and wellness through arts for children with intellectual disabilities

Enhancing Mother-Child Ties and Psychosocial Wellness Through Arts: A Mixed Methods Study on Dyadic Expressive Arts-based Intervention for Children With Intellectual Disability and Their Mothers

This study is trying out an arts program to see if it can help mothers and their children with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities connect better and feel healthier together.

Quick facts

• Phase: Not applicable
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 154 (estimated)
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: The University of Hong Kong (Academic / other)
• Locations: 1 site (Hong Kong)
• Trial ID: NCT05214859 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This intervention focuses on enhancing the emotional and communicative bonds between mothers and their children diagnosed with intellectual disabilities through expressive arts-based therapy. The program utilizes various art modalities to facilitate interaction and expression, aiming to improve psychosocial wellness for both the child and the mother. By engaging in creative activities, the dyads can bypass traditional communication barriers and foster a supportive environment. The study targets mother-child pairs where the child is aged 6-12 and has mild to moderate intellectual disabilities.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are mother-child dyads where the child is aged 6-12 and diagnosed with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities.

Not a fit: Patients who may not benefit from this study include those currently participating in other behavioral or pharmacological trials or those with severe comorbidities that impair participation.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this intervention could significantly improve the emotional well-being and communication skills of both mothers and their children with intellectual disabilities.

How similar studies have performed: While arts-based interventions have shown promise in other contexts, this specific approach targeting mother-child relationships in the context of intellectual disabilities is relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Eligible participants are mother-child dyads that fulfill the following inclusion criteria.

* The child is 6-12 years old (primary school student);
* The child is diagnosed with mild to moderate ID, IQ score ranges from 35 to 69 (based on the assessment conducted by certified clinicians);
* By the judgement of the health/school professional staff, the child is capable of responding to assessments and participating in group activities;
* The dyad is willing and able to give consent for participation.

Exclusion Criteria:

* The dyad is currently participating in any other behavioral or pharmacological trial
* Either member of the dyad have other contraindications or severe comorbidities that may impair their full participation (e.g., severe physical disabilities)

Where this trial is running

Hong Kong

• Centre on Behavioral Health HKU — Hong Kong, Hong Kong (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Rainbow Ho

Conditions Intellectual Disability; Mother-Child Relations