Otago exercises to improve balance, endurance, and motor coordination in children with Down syndrome

Effects of OTAGO Exercise Program On Balance, Endurance And Motor Coordination In Children With Down Syndrome

This study will try Otago exercises to see if they improve balance, walking endurance, coordination, and thinking in children with Down syndrome aged 8–14 who can walk and follow simple instructions.

Quick facts

• Phase: Not applicable
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 30 (estimated)
• Ages: 8 Years to 14 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Riphah International University (Academic / other)
• Locations: 1 site (Lahore, Punjab Province)
• Trial ID: NCT07484464 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This quasi-experimental study will run for ten months in pediatric physiotherapy departments at a tertiary care hospital and in special education schools in Lahore. Thirty children with Down syndrome aged 8–14 years and mild to moderate intellectual disability will be enrolled after guardian consent and eligibility screening. Participants will receive a program of Otago exercises and outcomes will be measured with BOT-2, the Berg Balance Scale, MMSE-C, and the Six-Minute Walk Test. Data will be analyzed using SPSS v26 after ethical approval from the institutional research ethics committee.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Children with confirmed trisomy 21 aged 8–14 who are ambulatory (with or without aids), have mild-to-moderate intellectual disability, and can follow basic verbal instructions are the intended participants.

Not a fit: Children with severe cognitive impairment, major visual or hearing loss, co-morbid neurological disorders (e.g., uncontrolled seizures or cerebral palsy), or cardiac contraindications to moderate exercise are unlikely to benefit or be eligible.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the Otago program could improve balance, endurance, coordination, and day-to-day mobility, potentially reducing falls and increasing independence.

How similar studies have performed: Otago exercises have shown benefit for balance and coordination in older adults and in some adult Down syndrome groups, but their application in children with Down syndrome is limited and not well studied.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* • Clinically diagnosed with Trisomy 21.

  * Aged between 8-14 years.(29)
  * Able to follow basic verbal instructions.
  * Ambulatory with or without assistive devices

Exclusion Criteria:

* • Severe visual or auditory impairments.

  * Patient with moderate to severe cognitive impairments. (29)
  * Co-morbid neurological conditions (e.g., uncontrolled seizures, cerebral palsy).
  * Cardiac contraindications to moderate physical activity

Where this trial is running

Lahore, Punjab Province

• Gulab Devi — Lahore, Punjab Province, Pakistan (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Fatima Tariq, Ms-Pt — Riphah International University
• Study coordinator: IMRAN AMJAD, PhD

Conditions Down Syndrome; Balance,; Motor Coordination; Endurance; OTAGO Exercises