Effects of Different Dual-Task Exercises in Children With Mild Mental Retardation

Not Applicable

Recruiting

• Conditions: Mental Retardation

• Registration Number: NCT07028333
• Lead Sponsor: Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa

Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of motor-motor and motor-cognitive dual-task exercises applied to children with mild mental retardation on their functional mobility, balance, cognitive function, and quality of life.

Detailed Description

Physical activity is a cornerstone of health and social well-being across all age groups. It holds significant physical, psychological, and social importance throughout an individual's life. Particularly in childhood, physical activity plays a critical role in shaping growth and development, enhancing cognitive functions, and establishing healthy habits that persist into adulthood. The World Health Organization (WHO) emphasizes the importance of physical activity for all age groups, highlighting its positive effects on children's cardiorespiratory fitness, muscle strength, bone health, mental health, cognitive functions, academic performance, and obesity prevention.

Children with mental retardation exhibit developmental delays across multiple domains compared to their typically developing peers. Mental retardation not only affects language, comprehension, learning, and socialization skills but also impairs motor abilities. These motor deficits contribute to reduced physical activity levels, increased sedentary behavior, and associated physical and psychological problems, which further restrict motor skill development. This cyclical relationship among mental retardation, motor function, and physical inactivity leads to decreased functionality, balance, strength, endurance, fitness, and flexibility. Consequently, children with mental retardation face challenges in daily activities and reduced quality of life.

In order to address these challenges, it is essential to implement exercise programs that target cognitive, social, and physical development in children with mental retardation. Performing daily movements often requires simultaneous execution of motor and cognitive tasks, known as dual-task activities. However, mental retardation significantly impairs the ability to perform such dual tasks. Existing literature indicates that dual-task interventions can improve balance, functional mobility, gait, and cognitive performance.

The current study aims to investigate the effects of dual-task exercise programs on motor and cognitive functions in children with mild mental retardation. Specifically, it examines whether motor-motor and motor-cognitive dual-task exercises improve these functions compared to a control group receiving standard walking and balance exercises. The intervention will be conducted over six weeks, with assessments performed before and after the program to measure motor skills, cognitive function, and quality of life.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2024-11-15
• Status Verified: 2025-06
• Study First Submitted: 2025-06-11
• Study First Submitted QC: 2025-06-11
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-06-11
• Study First Posted: 2025-06-19
• Last Update Posted: 2025-06-19
• Primary Completion: 2025-07-05
• Study Completion: 2025-11-10

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: RECRUITING
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 33

Inclusion Criteria

• Obtaining parental consent
• Having an Intelligence Quotient between 51-70
• Having an educational diagnosis of mild mental retardation
• Being between the ages of 8-12
• Ability to understand Turkish instructions
• Ability to follow commands during the exercise program
• No additional disabilities that would prevent participation in the program

Exclusion Criteria

• Having a metabolic or systemic disease
• Engaging in regular physical exercise
• Having visual or hearing impairments
• Presence of any condition that would interfere with compliance to assessment parameters

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Berg Balance Scale (BBS)	6 weeks	The Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS), used to assess functional balance in children during daily activities, is a highly reliable measurement tool. It is an adapted version of the Berg Balance Scale specifically designed for children. The scale consists of 14 items evaluating functional movements such as standing up, picking up an object from the floor, transferring, balancing on one foot, and sitting. Each item is scored on a scale from 0 to 4, with 4 indicating the ability to perform the task independently. The maximum score is 56. Scores between 0-20 indicate poor balance, 21-40 indicate acceptable balance, and 41-56 indicate good balance.
Timed Up and Go Test	6 weeks	Description: The Timed Up and Go Test (TUG) is used to assess functional mobility by measuring walking speed, postural control, and balance. The test involves standing up from a standard-height chair without armrests, walking a distance of 3 meters, turning around, walking back to the chair, and sitting down. Participants perform one practice trial followed by three test trials, with the average time recorded in seconds. A shorter duration indicates better functional mobility and balance.
Tandem Walking Test	6 weeks	Description: The Tandem Walking Test is used to assess dynamic balance, a function primarily controlled by the cerebellum. Participants are instructed to walk 10 steps in a straight line, placing the heel of one foot directly in front of the toes of the other foot with each step, minimizing the base of support. The time taken to complete the 10 steps is recorded, and a shorter time indicates better dynamic balance.
Stroop Test	6 weeks	Description: The Stroop Test is a neuropsychological assessment that measures cognitive processing speed, selective attention, response inhibition, and cognitive flexibility-functions associated with the frontal lobe. It includes four cards, each containing six rows with four items per row. Participants are required to name the color of the ink used rather than the word itself, evaluating their ability to inhibit habitual responses and adapt to cognitive interference.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL)	6 weeks	The Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL), developed by Varni et al., is a validated tool used to assess health-related quality of life in children aged 2 to 18. The scale consists of four subdomains: physical, emotional, social, and school functioning. It provides a total score, a physical health summary score, and a psychosocial health summary score (derived from emotional, social, and school subscales). Each item is scored on a 5-point Likert scale, then transformed into a 0-100 scale, where higher scores indicate better perceived quality of life.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Istanbul University Cerrahpasa; 🇹🇷 Istanbul, Turkey