Gamification Effects on the 6-Minute Walk Test in Children
Effect of Gamification on 6-Minute Walk Test Performance and Engagement in Pediatric Neuromuscular Patients
David Toupin
20 participants
Jun 12, 2026
INTERVENTIONAL
Conditions
Summary
The goal of this study is to learn if adding a game to the 6-minute walk test for children with neuromuscular disorders will increase enjoyment and motivation to complete the test.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria5
- Clinical diagnosis of, or active evaluation for, a neuromuscular disorder
- Able to ambulate (with or without usual orthoses/assistive device) sufficiently to attempt a 6-minute walk.
- Note: Acceptable if the patient needs to take breaks or sit during the test. Those unable to finish are counted as protocol deviations, not exclusions.
- Medically stable on the test day (no acute illness or recent surgery that would contraindicate moderate exercise).
- Child able to understand simple instructions in English and provide assent (if applicable based upon age and developmental level); parent/guardian able to provide consent in English.
Exclusion Criteria5
- Non-ambulatory or unsafe to attempt walking as judged by the treating physician.
- Severe cognitive/behavioral impairment that precludes following instructions.
- Acute cardiopulmonary, orthopedic, or other medical condition that makes walking unsafe on the test day.
- Non-English-speaking family (materials are available only in English for this pilot).
- Any child/parent who declines consent/assent or withdraws at any time.
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Interventions
ATS-standard instructions, no electronic system; Conducted in hallway measuring total length of 90ft (27.4 meters). Patients will walk down-and-back. A seated rest period of ≥10 min separates the two tests to minimize fatigue carry-over.
identical course but child carries a RFID tag; at each lap the child taps an on an RFID reader, awarding a point and leveling-up an on-screen avatar; Conducted in hallway measuring total length of 90ft (27.4 meters). Patients will walk down-and-back.A seated rest period of ≥10 min separates the two tests to minimize fatigue carry-over.
Locations(1)
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NCT07216339