Research Paper
Balance training improves postural balance, gait, and functional strength in adolescents with intellectual disabilities: Single-blinded, randomized clinical trial

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dhjo.2016.01.010Get rights and content

Abstract

Background

Adolescents with intellectual disabilities often present with problems of balance and mobility. Balance training is an important component of physical activity interventions, with growing evidence that it can be beneficial for people with intellectual disabilities.

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of balance training on postural balance, gait, and functional strength in adolescents with intellectual disabilities.

Methods

Thirty-two adolescents with intellectual disabilities aged 14–19 years were randomly assigned either to a balance training group (n = 15) or a control group (n = 16). Subjects in the balance training group underwent balance training for 40 min per day, two times a week, for 8 weeks. All subjects were assessed with posture sway and the one-leg stance test for postural balance; the timed up-and-go test and 10-m walk test for gait; and sit to stand test for functional strength.

Results

Postural balance and functional strength showed significant improvements in the balance training group (p < 0.05) as compared to baseline; however, postural balance and muscle strength showed no significant improvements in the control group. Further, postural balance and functional strength significantly improved in the balance training group compared with those in the control group.

Conclusions

Balance training for adolescents with intellectual disabilities might be beneficial for improving postural balance and functional strength.

Section snippets

Participants

The study group included 32 participants with mild intellectual disabilities, who were students of a special education school in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. The group consisted of 14 women and 18 men, aged 14–19 years (16.68 ± 1.70 years). The intelligence quotients (IQs) of the participants were determined using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale test. All participants had an IQ within the range suggestive of mild mental retardation (50–70). Participants were excluded if they had any

Results

After completing the 8-week intervention program, the postural sway and OLS showed significant improvements compared to baseline values in the balance training group (p < 0.05), but not in the control group. Postural sway in all conditions and OLS showed significant improvements in the balance training group compared with the control group (Table 2, Table 3). Furthermore, functional strength evaluated by STS showed a significant improvement in the balance training group (p < 0.05), but not in

Discussion

This study was performed to assess the effects of a balance exercise program on postural balance, gait, and functional strength in adolescents with intellectual disabilities; through this program, we attempted to develop a method of intervention for the prevention of falls in such individuals.

The results of this study suggest that balance training may be effective in promoting postural balance in adolescents with intellectual disabilities. Moreover, functional strength also showed significant

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    Disclosures: Financial disclosure statements have been obtained, and no conflicts of interest have been reported by the authors or by any individuals in control of the content of this article.

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