The effect of Dual-Task balance exercises on cognitive functions among children with mild and borderline mental retardation: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of dual-task balance training (DTBT) in improving the mental performance of children with intellectual disabilities.

Materials and Methods

Forty-five children (aged 6–13 years) with mild mental retardation (intelligence quotient: 50–79) were randomised to receive cognitive training and DTBT (group A), standard balance and cognitive training (group B), or only cognitive training (control group). The intervention was provided twice a week for 12 weeks (totally 24 sessions). The WISC-R intelligence and MOXO attention tests were used for outcome analysis. All outcome assessments were made before, after, and three months after the study.

Results

There were significant improvements after using DTBT compared to the other two sets of interventions, at least in selected aspects of intelligence and mental performance.

Conclusions

A precisely planned, progressive DTBT program can be effective in developing and sustaining improvements in mental abilities among children with intellectual disabilities. This study is recorded in ClinicalTrials.gov (Identifier: NCT04114487)

Keywords:

• Cognition
• posture balance
• multi-tasking behaviour
• mental retardation
• physical therapy

Acknowledgments

The authors thank the families that accepted to participate in our study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author, upon reasonable request.

Additional information

Funding

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.