Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 5, 2026
Randomized, Triple-Blind, and Parallel-Controlled Trial of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation for Cognitive Rehabilitation after Stroke
Published on: June 6, 2025
Mitii™ ABI: study protocol of a randomised controlled trial of a web-based multi-modal training program for children
Roslyn N Boyd1, Emmah Baque2, Adina Piovesana3
1Queensland Cerebral Palsy and Rehabilitation Research Centre, School of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. r.boyd@uq.edu.au.
Insights
This study investigated the effectiveness of the "Move it to improve it" (Mitii™) web-based therapy for children with acquired brain injury (ABI). Mitii™ may offer an accessible and affordable way to increase therapy for improved daily living skills.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric rehabilitation
- Neuroscience
- Rehabilitation technology
Background:
- Acquired brain injury (ABI) can cause significant physical, cognitive, and emotional impairments in children, affecting daily activities.
- Internet-delivered therapy programs, such as "Move it to improve it" (Mitii™), are emerging as novel interventions.
- Mitii™ combines upper limb and cognitive training with physical activity for children with ABI.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the efficacy of Mitii™ to usual care in improving daily living skills in children with ABI.
- To evaluate Mitii™'s impact on motor skills, cognitive processing, gross motor capacity, and executive functioning.
- To assess the intervention's effects across the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) domains.
Main Methods:
- A randomized waitlist controlled trial involving 60 children with ABI, matched in pairs and randomly assigned to immediate Mitii™ intervention or a 20-week waitlist.
- Intervention group received 20 weeks of Mitii™ (30 min/day, 6 days/week).
- Outcomes assessed at baseline, post-intervention, and 20 weeks post-intervention using standardized measures and neuroimaging (3T MRI) in a subset of participants.
Main Results:
- Primary outcomes include the Assessment of Motor and Process Skills and functional strength tests (sit-to-stand, step-ups, half kneel to stand).
- Secondary outcomes assess body structure/function, activity, participation, and quality of life using ICF framework.
- Neuroimaging will evaluate functional neurovascular changes, structural integrity, and resting-state functional connectivity.
Conclusions:
- Mitii™ offers a convenient home-based alternative for intensive therapy delivery for children with ABI.
- If proven effective, Mitii™ could provide an accessible and cost-effective option to increase therapy dosage.
- The study will provide insights into the potential of telerehabilitation for pediatric acquired brain injury.
Background:
Acquired brain injury (ABI) refers to multiple disabilities arising from damage to the brain acquired after birth. Children with an ABI may experience physical, cognitive, social and emotional-behavioural impairments which can impact their ability to participate in activities of daily living (ADL). Recent developments in technology have led to the emergence of internet-delivered therapy programs. "Move it to improve it" (Mitii™) is a web-based multi-modal therapy that comprises upper limb (UL) and cognitive training within the context of meaningful physical activity. The proposed study aims to compare the efficacy of Mitii™ to usual care to improve ADL motor and processing skills, gross motor capacity, UL and executive functioning in a randomised waitlist controlled trial.
Methods/Design:
Sixty independently ambulant children (30 in each group) at least 12 months post ABI will be recruited to participate in this trial. Children will be matched in pairs at baseline and randomly allocated to receive either 20 weeks of Mitii™ training (30 min per day, six days a week, with a potential total dose of 60 h) immediately, or be waitlisted for 20 weeks. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline, immediately post-intervention and at 20 weeks post-intervention. The primary outcomes will be the Assessment of Motor and Process Skills and 30 s repetition maximum of functional strength exercises (sit-to-stand, step-ups and half kneel to stand). Measures of body structure and functions, activity, participation and quality of life will assess the efficacy of Mitii™ across all domains of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health framework. A subset of children will undertake three tesla (3T) magnetic resonance imaging scans to evaluate functional neurovascular changes, structural imaging, diffusion imaging and resting state functional connectivity before and after intervention.
Discussion:
Mitii™ provides an alternative approach to deliver intensive therapy for children with an ABI in the convenience of the home environment. If Mitii™ is found to be effective, it may offer an accessible and inexpensive intervention option to increase therapy dose.
Trial Registration:
ANZCTR12613000403730.
