Effect of Pilates exercises on balance and gross motor coordination in children with Down syndrome

Alaa Al-Nemr; Shimaa Reffat

doi:10.1007/s13760-024-02517-w

Effect of Pilates exercises on balance and gross motor coordination in children with Down syndrome

Acta Neurol Belg. 2024 Apr 1. doi: 10.1007/s13760-024-02517-w. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Alaa Al-Nemr¹, Shimaa Reffat²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Physical Therapy for Pediatrics, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, El Tahrir St., Giza, 12613, Egypt. alaaalnemr28@cu.edu.eg.
² Department of Physical Therapy for Pediatrics, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, El Tahrir St., Giza, 12613, Egypt.

PMID: 38558387
DOI: 10.1007/s13760-024-02517-w

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the effect of Pilates exercises on balance and gross motor coordination in children with Down syndrome (DS).

Methods: Forty children with DS, aged 8 up to 10 years, were randomly divided into two groups; experimental and control groups. A designed physical therapy program was applied for both groups, while the experimental group received an additional Pilates exercise program. Balance and gross motor coordination as primary outcomes and quality of life (QoL) as secondary outcome were assessed using Biodex balance system (BBS), Bruininks Oseretsky of Motor Proficiency (BOT-2), and Pediatric quality of life inventory (PedsQL™) sequentially.

Results: Both experimental (Pilates) and control groups demonstrated significant improvements in dynamic balance, gross motor coordination, and QoL after interventions. However, comparison between groups showed significant improvement in favor of the Pilates group in all measured outcomes (P < 0.0001).

Conclusion: Adding Pilates exercises to the designed physical therapy program could provide more significant improvements in balance, gross motor coordination, and QoL in children with DS.

Trial registration: Clinical Trial gov number Identifier: NCT05928949.

Keywords: Balance; Down syndrome; Motor disorders; Rehabilitation; Therapy.

Associated data

ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT05928949