Using exercise to help children with communication difficulties

Exercise as Treatment in Children with Communication Impairments

NIH-funded research Marquette University · NIH-10642857

This study is looking at how exercise can help kids with developmental language disorder improve their communication and movement skills, and it’s designed for children who struggle with these challenges.

Quick facts

Grant typeR21 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionMarquette University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Milwaukee, United States)
Project IDNIH-10642857 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how physical exercise can improve communication and motor skills in children with developmental language disorder (DLD). It aims to assess the current motor performance and fitness levels of these children and then test the effectiveness of exercise as a treatment. By focusing on the whole child rather than treating communication and motor skills separately, the study seeks to uncover potential benefits that could arise from a more integrated approach. The research will involve a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the outcomes of exercise on cognitive-linguistic and motor improvements.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 3 to 10 years who have been diagnosed with developmental language disorder and may also exhibit motor deficits.

Not a fit: Children who do not have communication impairments or those with severe cognitive disabilities may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a novel treatment option that enhances both communication and physical abilities in children with DLD.

How similar studies have performed: While the approach of integrating exercise into treatment for communication impairments is innovative, similar studies have shown promise in using physical activity to enhance cognitive and motor skills in other populations.

Where this research is happening

Milwaukee, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.