Down Syndrome
Conditions
Keywords
Down Syndrome, Bubble Cushion Exercises, Postural Control, Balance Training
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.
Detailed description
Children with Down syndrome (DS) often face significant challenges related to motor development, particularly in postural control and balance. Poor postural control can lead to difficulties in performing basic motor functions, such as sitting, standing, walking, and engaging in daily activities, ultimately affecting the child's independence and quality of life. Therefore, early and targeted therapeutic interventions are crucial to improve motor outcomes in this population. This study aims to investigate the effect of bubble cushion exercises on postural control in children with Down syndrome. The study will be conducted using a pre-test/post-test experimental design involving 22 children aged 6 to 9years with clinically diagnosed Down syndrome and those who can stand walk and follow instructions. Children who had any history of surgery and those who had visual and hearing impairments will be excluded. Participants will engage in structured bubble cushion exercises for 30 -45 minutes, 3 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. The study suggests that bubble cushion training is an effective, low-cost intervention for enhancing balance and trunk stability in children with Down syndrome.
Interventions
OTHERBubble cushion exercises
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.
Sponsors
Riphah International University
Study design
Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Intervention model description
. 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.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
6 Years to 9 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Children with a of Down Syndrome * Aged between 6-9 years * Able to stand and walk alone, able to understand simple instructions
Exclusion criteria
* Visual or auditory problems * Major history of disease or surgery
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| peadtric balance scale | pre assessement of balance was done before the intervention and post assessment after 8 weeks of intervention | 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. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| trunk control measurement scale | pre assessment of trunk control was done before the intervention and post assessment after 8 weeks | The Trunk Control Measurement Scale (TCMS) is a standardized tool used to assess seated trunk control in children. It evaluates static balance, selective movement control, and dynamic reaching. The total score ranges from 0 to 58, with higher scores indicating better trunk control. Each item is scored from 0 to 3 based on performance, and the best of three attempts is recorded. The TCMS is a reliable and valid measure widely used to assess trunk stability and postural control, especially in children with motor impairments. |
Countries
Pakistan
Contacts
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORNimra Tabassam, MS-PPT
Riphah International University
Outcome results
None listed