Effects of Bubble Cushion Exercises on Postural Control in Children With Down Syndrome

NCT07756944 | Completed DMC

• 1 other identifier: REC/RCR&AHS/25/0736
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 22
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Conducted as a quasi-experimental study. It involves 22 children aged 6-9 years, recruited from different special education schools, who will participate in supervised balance and weight-shifting exercises for 30-45 minutes, three times a week, over 8 weeks.. Exercises will include seated and standing balance tasks, weight shifting, and all performed on the bubble cushion under supervision. Standardized tools, such as the Pediatric Balance Scale and the Trunk Control Measurement Scale, will be used to assess pre- and post intervention outcomes.

Conditions

Down Syndrome

Keywords

Down Syndrome; Bubble Cushion Exercises; Postural Control; Balance Training

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• peadtric balance scale

  The Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS) is a 14-item assessment tool used to measure functional balance in children. It evaluates both static and dynamic balance through everyday tasks, with each item scored from 0 to 4 and a maximum score of 56. Higher scores indicate better balance ability. The PBS is a reliable and valid tool commonly used in children with motor impairments, including Down syndrome.

  pre assessement of balance was done before the intervention and post assessment after 8 weeks of intervention

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• trunk control measurement scale

  pre assessment of trunk control was done before the intervention and post assessment after 8 weeks

Study Arms (1)

bubble cushion exercises

EXPERIMENTAL

Bubble cushion exercises are balance training activities performed in both sitting and standing positions on an unstable, air-filled cushion. The program includes seated tasks such as maintaining balance, pelvic tilts, pelvic shifts, pelvic circles, and ball toss/catch to improve trunk control and coordination. Standing exercises include static standing, single-leg stance, reaching activities, trunk rotation with ball passing, and ball throwing tasks. These exercises are designed to enhance postural control, balance, proprioception, and core stability by challenging the body to maintain stability on an unstable surface.

Other: Bubble cushion exercises

Interventions

Bubble cushion exercises OTHER

Bubble cushion exercises are balance training activities performed on an unstable, air-filled cushion in sitting and standing positions. The unstable surface challenges postural control and activates core muscles, helping improve balance, coordination, proprioception, and trunk stability. Exercises include seated balance tasks, pelvic movements, ball activities, static standing, single-leg stance, reaching, and ball passing, all aimed at enhancing overall postural control in children with Down syndrome.

bubble cushion exercises

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 6 Years - 9 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Child (0-17)

You may qualify if:

• Children with a of Down Syndrome
• Aged between 6-9 years
• Able to stand and walk alone, able to understand simple instructions

You may not qualify if:

• Visual or auditory problems
• Major history of disease or surgery

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Riphah International University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Children Hospital

Lahore, Punjab Province, 54000, Pakistan

Location

Related Publications (1)

• Qian G, Perzanowska E, Kozakiewicz M, Ewertowska P, Yu H, Ossowski Z. Immediate effects of Vojta Therapy on gait ability in down syndrome patients: a pilot study. Front Neurol. 2025 Jan 6;15:1511849. doi: 10.3389/fneur.2024.1511849. eCollection 2024.

  PMID: 39835157 BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Down Syndrome

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Intellectual Disability; Neurobehavioral Manifestations; Neurologic Manifestations; Nervous System Diseases; Abnormalities, Multiple; Congenital Abnormalities; Congenital, Hereditary, and Neonatal Diseases and Abnormalities; Chromosome Disorders; Genetic Diseases, Inborn

Study Officials

• Nimra Tabassam, MS-PPT

  Riphah International University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NA
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: SINGLE GROUP
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Model Details: . It includes 22 children aged 6 to 9 years who can stand, walk, and follow instructions. They will take part in supervised exercises on a bubble cushion for 30-45 minutes, three times a week, over 8 weeks. Their balance and trunk control will be assessed before and after the program using standard measurement tools. The study aims to show that bubble cushion exercises are a simple and low-cost way to improve stability and motor function in these children.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: May 5, 2026
• First Posted: August 11, 2026
• Study Start: March 25, 2026
• Primary Completion: July 5, 2026
• Study Completion: July 20, 2026
• Last Updated: August 11, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-08

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

PA (1)