Auditory-cued exercise therapy (ACET) in 7–12-year-old children with listening difficulties – a feasibility and pilot trial protocol

(Central) Auditory Processing Disorder ([C]APD) is an umbrella term for children who have difficulty with listening, despite normal hearing. Children with (C)APD frequently experience academic, behavioural, emotional, cognitive and social difficulties, and lack accessible, long-lasting wholistic treatments. Hence, a transdisciplinary intervention has been developed – Auditory-Cued Exercise Therapy (ACET). This manuscript details the protocol for a two-group, feasibility and preliminary effectiveness trial. Eighty participants meeting diagnostic criteria for (C)APD, aged seven to 12 years, will be quasi-randomly assigned to the ACET intervention group or a matched physical exercise-only intervention group. The intervention will consist of 8 weeks of twice-weekly 50-min exercise sessions incorporating age-appropriate activities and games to develop physical literacy. The ACET intervention will involve elements of listening practice and auditory training, using auditory cues and engagement with music and rhythm throughout exercise sessions. Improvements in auditory processing ability from baseline testing to post-intervention assessment are considered the primary outcome measure, while changes in electrophysiology, physical literacy and quality of life are secondary outcome measures. Feasibility will be reported in line with the CONSORT extension recommendations for pilot and feasibility trials. To date, no randomised control trial has evaluated ACET for this population. This paper provides important information for transparency and reproducibility of the study protocol.Trial registration Australia New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry; ACTRN12622001090707. Registered 8 August 2022, https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=384407&isReview=true.