Spatial Training for Down Syndrome
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
This trial aims to determine if practicing spatial activities can enhance certain skills in people with Down syndrome (DS), such as mental rotation (imagining how an object looks from different angles) and perspective taking. Participants will engage in activities like puzzle construction, block building, and computer search tasks over several weeks to assess whether these exercises, known as Spatial Ability Experience, can improve their spatial abilities. The trial seeks adolescents and young adults with Down syndrome who can follow verbal instructions and use a tablet computer. The study will compare their results with those of typically developing children to see if the gap in abilities can be narrowed. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity to contribute to research that could enhance cognitive skills in individuals with Down syndrome.
Do I need to stop my current medications for the trial?
The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.
What prior data suggests that this spatial training is safe for individuals with Down syndrome?
Research has shown that training in spatial skills for people with Down syndrome (DS) is generally safe. This training includes activities such as puzzles, block building, and computer use, all of which are common and non-invasive.
Studies on spatial skills in people with DS have reported no major problems or safety issues. Participants typically engage in these activities in a controlled setting, with tasks designed to enhance thinking skills without risk. The goal is to improve abilities like visualizing objects from different angles and understanding various viewpoints, which are useful in daily life.
Although the trial is in a phase labeled "Not Applicable," the use of familiar activities suggests very low or no risks. Participants receive close monitoring during sessions to ensure safety. Overall, this type of training is well-tolerated and does not involve any risky procedures.12345Why are researchers excited about this trial?
Researchers are excited about spatial ability training for individuals with Down syndrome because it tackles cognitive development in an innovative way. Unlike traditional therapies that often focus on language and social skills, this method emphasizes improving spatial reasoning, which could enhance problem-solving abilities and independence. By engaging participants in targeted spatial exercises, the hope is to unlock cognitive potentials that are typically underdeveloped in standard treatments, potentially leading to broader life skills improvements.
What evidence suggests that spatial ability experience is effective for improving spatial skills in individuals with Down syndrome?
Research shows that people with Down syndrome (DS) often struggle with spatial understanding, such as imagining how objects look when rotated or viewing things from different perspectives. These skills are crucial for daily activities and jobs. Practicing these skills could lead to improvement. This trial will compare two approaches: one group will receive 16 weeks of spatial ability training immediately, while another group will first undergo 8 weeks of verbal ability training followed by 8 weeks of spatial ability training. Studies suggest that such practice helps children without DS excel in subjects like math, indicating it might also benefit those with DS. Early results indicate that practicing spatial skills can enhance these abilities in people with DS, potentially narrowing the performance gap.16789
Who Is on the Research Team?
Edward C Merrill, Phd
Principal Investigator
University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
This trial is for children aged 4-9 years with typical development, and individuals aged 10-25 years with Down Syndrome who have verbal comprehension abilities at or above a 4-year-old level. It aims to help them improve their spatial skills which are crucial for daily tasks.Inclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Initial Assessment
Participants undergo initial assessment including Ravens 2 Matrices, PPVT-4, Mental Rotation, and Perspective Taking assessments
Spatial Ability Experience
Participants receive 8 weeks of spatial activity experience using puzzle construction, block building, and computer search tasks
Mid Assessment
Participants undergo mid assessment including Mental Rotation and Perspective Taking assessments
Continued Spatial Ability Experience
Participants continue with 8 more weeks of spatial activity experience
Final Assessment
Participants undergo final assessment including Mental Rotation and Perspective Taking assessments
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for any long-term effects of the spatial ability experience
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- Spatial Ability Experience
Trial Overview
The study tests if special activities can enhance spatial abilities in people with Down Syndrome. Participants will do puzzles, block building, and computer tasks over up to eight sessions to see if these exercises can improve mental rotation and perspective taking.
How Is the Trial Designed?
2
Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Placebo Group
Participants will receive 16 weeks of spatial ability experience.
Participants will receive 8 weeks of verbal ability experience prior to receiving 8 weeks of spatial ability experience.
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa
Lead Sponsor
Citations
Spatial abilities in Down syndrome: Characterising the ...
This paper investigates (a) the profile of strengths and weaknesses in spatial abilities, and (b) the cross-sectional developmental trajectories of spatial ...
Visuo-spatial Ability in Individuals with Down Syndrome
Down syndrome (DS) is associated with extreme difficulty in verbal skills and relatively better visuo-spatial skills.
Assessing Malleability of Spatial Abilities in Down Syndrome
Following the experience sessions, spatial abilities of participants will be re-evaluated. These data will be used to investigate two specific aims. First, the ...
Exploring relative strengths in people with Down syndrome
There is convincing evidence that training spatial abilities leads to improved mathematics performance in typically developing (TD) children.
A profile of spatial abilities in people with Down syndrome
Conclusions: Our results showed an uneven profile of spatial abilities in people with DS relative to ability-matched TD children with ...
Predicting large-scale spatial ability from small ...
This research is part of a larger study on spatial cognition of individuals with Down syndrome. A total of 171 typically developing (as reported by parents) ...
Allocentric spatial learning and memory deficits in Down ...
These findings demonstrate that individuals with DS are impaired at using an AS representation to learn and remember discrete locations in a controlled ...
Health Data Visualization Literacy Skills of Young Adults ...
People with Down Syndrome are often better at processing visuo-spatial information (i.e., the locations of objects, images) versus verbal (i.e., ...
Development of Spatio-Temporal Orientation of Children ...
The present results indicate that the improvement of spatial and temporal orientation skills in children with Down Syndrome should be targeted by professionals ...
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