Clinical trial NCT06943144: Comparative Effects of Dual Task Training and Embodied Learning on Dual Task Performance in Children With Down Syndrome
Official title: Comparative Effects of Dual Task Training and Embodied Learning on Dual Task Performance in Children With Down Syndrome
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING
Phase: NA
Conditions: Down Syndrome
Keywords: Down Syndrome, Motor Coordination, Motor Skills, Psychomotor Performance, Cognitive Dysfunction
Lead sponsor: Riphah International University
Sponsor class: OTHER
First posted: 2025-04-24
Enrollment: 22
Sex: ALL
Minimum age (years): 7
Maximum age (years): 12
Standard ages: CHILD
Accepts healthy volunteers: no
Allocation: RANDOMIZED
Intervention model: PARALLEL
Intervention model description: Participants will be referred by Civil Hospital Sialkot and screened for eligibility. Guardians of eligible participants will provide informed consent prior to enrollment. A total of 22 participants will be randomly assigned via computer-generated randomization into two groups: Group A (Dual Task Learning) and Group B (Embodied Learning), with 11 participants in each. This single-blinded study will ensure the outcome assessor remains unaware of group assignments. Group A will engage in dual-task training-such as walking while solving math problems or identifying objects-twice a week for 30 minutes to improve cognitive-motor coordination. Group B will participate in embodied learning activities-such as yoga, gesture-based learning, storytelling, art, and sensory play-twice a week for 45-60 minutes to promote cognitive development through full-body engagement.
Primary purpose: OTHER

Brief summary: Down Syndrome is Caused by an extra copy of chromosome 21, characterized by impaired motor skills, especially difficulties with coordination, and cognitive impairment. Improving these abilities is essential to raising the affected children's quality of life and everyday functioning. Dual task learning and embodied learning stand out among other interventions as effective strategies. While embodied learning uses physical motions to support cognitive growth, dual task learning mixes motor and cognitive tasks concurrently, testing the brain's capacity for multitasking. The purpose of this study is to compare how well embodied learning and dual task training work to improve dual task performance in kids with Down syndrome.

This study contains 22 participants age 7 to12 years and excludes participants with other neurological or orthopedic disorders, is focused on individuals who match the inclusion criteria Children that are being able to follow instructions. The Participants will be Referred by Allama Iqbal School Sialkot and Children Hospital Sialkot. To test changes in motor coordination and balance, assessment tools such as the Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS), timed Up and Go Test, Single Leg Stance Test, Four Stage Balance Test, and 30-second Sit to Stand Test will be used. In order to evaluate cognitive engagement and the development of motor skills, dual task training setups (such as walking while labelling objects or balancing while solving puzzles) as well as embodied learning activities (such as Gesture-Based Learning, Physical Storytelling, Yoga, and Sensory Play Art) will be used. The purpose of this research is to offer useful knowledge about the effectiveness and practicality of various interventions in improving the everyday functioning and quality of life of children with Down syndrome.


Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

* Children diagnosed with Down Syndrome
* Age 7 to 12 years
* Ability to follow instructions effectively

Exclusion Criteria:

* Neurological conditions (cerebral palsy or epilepsy)
* Orthopedic conditions (Foot Abnormalities,s Hip Dysplasia)
* Significant sensory impairments (e.g., severe hearing or vision impairments.

Primary outcomes:
measure: Pediatric Balance Scale(PBS)
timeFrame: 8 weeks
measure: Timed Up and Go (TUG)
timeFrame: 8 weeks
measure: Single Leg Stance (SLS)
timeFrame: 8 weeks
measure: 30-Second Sit to Stand Test (30CST)
timeFrame: 8 weeks
measure: Four Stage Balance Test
timeFrame: 8 weeks
Secondary outcomes:
Other outcomes:
Locations:
Study officials:
affiliation: Riphah International University
name: Maria Mahmood, MS-PPT
role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
References:
citation: Izquierdo-Gomez R, Esteban-Cornejo I, Cabanas-Sanchez V, Marcos A, Gomez-Martinez S, Castro-Pinero J, Veiga OL; UP&DOWN Study Group. Are obesity and physical fitness associated with cardiovascular disease risk in adolescents with Down syndrome? The longitudinal UP&DOWN study. J Intellect Dev Disabil. 2023 Sep;48(3):247-259. doi: 10.3109/13668250.2023.2188876. Epub 2023 Mar 30.