The Effect of Group Exercise in Children With Special Needs

NCT06353867 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 56365223-050.01.04-2023.13754
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 30
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Thirty children with special needs were included in the study. Participants engaged in group exercises twice a week for four weeks, including warm-up and cool-down periods, with the goal of improving balance. The participants' balance was assessed using the Bruininks-Oseretsky Motor Proficiency Test Short Form (Balance Parameters), Pediatric Balance Scale; functional mobility was evaluated using the Timed Up and Go Test, and attention level was assessed using the Stroop Test before and after the intervention.

Conditions

Developmental Disability; Child Autism

Keywords

developmental disability; balance; attention; group exercise

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (5)

• Bruininks-Oseretsky Motor Competence Test Short Form Balance Subtest (Balance Subtest of BOT 2-KF)

  1. Standing on the dominant leg on the balance board: The participant will be asked to stand on the balance board with his/her eyes open on his/her dominant foot, looking at the target, with his/her hands on his/her waist and the other leg parallel to the ground for 10 seconds. Scoring will be recorded as 0-0.9 s 0 points, 1-2.9 s 1 point, 3-5.9 s 2 points, 6-9.9 s 3 points and 10 s 4 points according to the duration of standing on one leg. 2. Tandem (heel-thumb) walking on the walking line: The participant will be asked to place his/her hands on his/her waist and walk along the walking line. When 6 steps are completed, the test is stopped. Steps that does not go beyond the line are evaluated. Scoring is done as 0 step 0 points, 1-2 steps 1 point, 3-4 steps 2 points, 5 steps 3 points and 6 steps 4 points.

  Baseline and after the interventions (4th week)

• Paediatric Balance Scale

  The version consisting of 14 sections and each section scored between 0-4 is used to evaluate the balance status of the participants.

  Baseline and after the interventions (4th week)

• Functional Reach Test

  The participant is asked to reach as far as he/she can horizontally at the level of a tape measure fixed to the wall with arms at 90 flexion. The test is repeated 3 times and the measurements are averaged.

  Baseline and after the interventions (4th week)

• Timed Up and Go Test

  It will be applied to assess balance and functional ambulation. The participant is asked to get up from a chair, walk 3 metres, turn around and sit down again. The time it took to complete the test will be recorded.

  Baseline and after the interventions (4th week)

• Stroop Test

  The Stroop Test is among the neuropsychological tests frequently used to assess attention level and executive functions in children. Participants' time to complete the test is recorded.

  Baseline and after the interventions (4th week)

Study Arms (1)

Group Exercise

EXPERIMENTAL

Other: Group Exercise

Interventions

Group Exercise OTHER

The children with special needs included in the study were included in group exercises for 45 minutes 2 days a week in groups of 10 children each. Group exercises were planned as balance and coordination exercises including warm-up and cool-down periods. In the warm-up and cool-down periods, counting in place and balance exercises were performed. The exercises included tasks such as side walking, tandem walking, walking on a balance board, walking in a figure 8, walking over obstacles, throwing a ball to the person next to him/her while passing through cones, and throwing a ball by jumping while passing through cones.The exercises were made more difficult by following a progressive method every 2 weeks. The exercises were performed in 3 sets of 5 repetitions under the supervision of a physiotherapist.

Group Exercise

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 6 Years - 15 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Child (0-17)

You may qualify if:

• Children aged 6-15 years with special needs
• Able to walk independently

You may not qualify if:

• Children with visual problems,
• Any orthopaedic, rheumatic or neurological problems affecting balance,
• Any contraindication to exercise

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Istanbul Gedik University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Marmara University

Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Developmental Disabilities; Autistic Disorder

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Neurodevelopmental Disorders; Mental Disorders; Autism Spectrum Disorder; Child Development Disorders, Pervasive

Study Officials

• Gokce Kartal, PT

  Marmara University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NA
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: OTHER
• Intervention Model: SINGLE GROUP
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: MSc,PT

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: April 3, 2024
• First Posted: April 9, 2024
• Study Start: December 27, 2022
• Primary Completion: April 15, 2023
• Study Completion: April 25, 2023
• Last Updated: April 9, 2024

Record last verified: 2024-04

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)