A Comparison of Cognitive-Motor Dual-Task Exercise and Exergaming on Balance, Functional Mobility, and Executive Function in Down Syndrome Children

NCT ID: NCT06146907

Last Updated: 2025-03-05

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 23 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2024-08-28
• Study Completion Date: 2024-12-28

Brief Summary

Down syndrome (DS) is a genetic condition that compromises physical and cognitive function. Motor development delays define DS. Additionally, there are executive function issues. Humans need dual-task activities to execute physical and cognitive tasks simultaneously. Cognitively challenged people may struggle to do dual tasks simultaneously. This shows that executive function modulation may boost motor function. Rehabilitation should include motor training and cognitive therapy to improve function. Dual-task training called exergaming combines video games with exercise and requires brain processing, decision-making, and problem-solving. Kids enjoy therapy and exercise using interactive exergames, improving adherence and results. Mental agility can be developed through simultaneous exercise. Exergaming improves balance, functional mobility, fitness, and well-being for DS youngsters. Most literature on DS children stresses physical ability over cognitive ability. Cognitive-Motor Dual-Task Exercise Program (CMDT) works in most therapy settings without equipment. Our study compares two dual-task intervention regimens for 8-14-year-old DS children's balance, functional mobility, and EF.

Detailed Description

An extra copy of chromosome 21 causes Down syndrome (DS), a hereditary disorder that affects physical and cognitive function. Motor development delays characterize DS. Muscle weakness, hypotonia, and joint laxity cause motor delay. DS children demonstrated lower cognitive and motor performance in all categories than their chronological or mental-age peers. Physical traits cause DS children to struggle with balance, coordination, and functional mobility. Additionally, these kids may have executive function difficulties. Executive function helps people plan, organize, problem-solve, and control their behavior. Executive dysfunction affects impulse control, memory, attention, and decision-making. Executive and motor function are linked in several studies. Motor coordination and regulation need inhibition, working memory, and cognitive flexibility. Inhibitory control helps people stop unimportant motions for better motor skills. Working memory stores and manipulates motor plans, improving complex action execution. Motor skills affect cognitive flexibility, or the ability to alter tasks or conceptual groups. DS children show moderate inhibitory control and task initiation but poor working memory, monitoring, planning, organizing, and cognitive flexibility. Most abilities stayed consistent from 2 to 18 years. Motor and cognitive skill interventions may help DS youngsters realize their potential. EF improves with training. The dual-task physical therapy rehabilitation strategy is well studied. Living requires DT because it lets individuals perform physical and cognitive tasks simultaneously. Soccer and basketball involve coordination of motor (running, passing, and shooting) and cognitive (strategic thinking, decision-making, situation awareness) skills. DT tasks can be difficult to execute simultaneously, especially for cognitively impaired people. DT and multitasking abilities are needed. This suggests EF modulation may improve motor function. To increase function, rehabilitation programs should include motor training and cognitive therapy. Little is known about organizing physical and cognitive skill intervention programs. Exergaming is DT training that blends video games with exercise, requires mental processing, decision-making, and problem-solving. Interactive exergames make treatment and exercise more fun for kids, enhancing adherence and results. Mental agility can be increased by exercising simultaneously. DS kids can improve balance, functional mobility, fitness, and well-being through exergaming. Even so, most literature on DS children emphasizes physical capabilities over cognitive capabilities. The Cognitive-Motor Dual-Task Exercise Program (CMDT) by is a new, simple intervention that works in most therapy settings without equipment. Children's balance and movement improve with DS. The program involves walking, sitting, leaping, cognitive exercises like naming fruits and vegetables, and motor ones like carrying an empty box. our study aim to compare two DT intervention regimens for 8-14-year-old DS children's balance, functional mobility, and EF.

Conditions

Down Syndrome

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: DOUBLE

Study Groups

cognitive motor dual task

24 participants

Group Type: ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

cognitive motor dual task exercises

Intervention Type: OTHER

exercise program that combined motor tasks such as walking and juggling with cognitive task such as naming fruits or colors in the room.

exergaming

24 participants

Group Type: ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

exergaming

Intervention Type: OTHER

Nintendo switch games that involve physical activity by participants to complete

Interventions

cognitive motor dual task exercises

exercise program that combined motor tasks such as walking and juggling with cognitive task such as naming fruits or colors in the room.

Intervention Type: OTHER

exergaming

Nintendo switch games that involve physical activity by participants to complete

Intervention Type: OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

1. Children with Down syndrome who are 8 to 14 years old.

2. Mild mental retardation (IQ according to the intelligence scale, mild (IQ 50-70).

3. Can stand and walk independently.

4. Follow verbal directions.

Exclusion Criteria

1. Uncontrollable medical disorders or seizures.

2. Any type of disability that limits activity, such as spinal deformity.

3. Uncooperative or cannot follow instructions.

4. Children who play video games on a regular basis to avoid the extraneous activity learning effect.

• Minimum Eligible Age: 8 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 14 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

safia Darweesh halwsh

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

safia Darweesh halwsh

Principal Investigator

Responsibility Role: SPONSOR_INVESTIGATOR

Locations

King Saud University

Riyadh, , Saudi Arabia

Countries

Saudi Arabia

Other Identifiers

exergaming and CMDT

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id