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RecruitingNCT06987188Updated May 23, 2025

Effects of Modified Pilates on Improving Trunk Control and Balance in Children With Mild Intellectual Disability

An interventional study of Modified Pilate Exercises and General Physiotherapy Plan in Mild Intellectual Disability, sponsored by Riphah International University. Recruiting at 1 site in Pakistan. Open to participants aged 6 Years to 12 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2025-05-23.

Sponsored by Riphah International University · Not applicable, Interventional, and Other

From the registry’s dates

  • Primary completion was expected by Jun 2025, 1 year 3 months ago, but the record still lists the study as recruiting.
  • Started Apr 2025; still recruiting 1 year 5 months later.
Phase
Not applicable
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
40
Allocation
Randomized
Ages
6 Years to 12 Years
Sex
All
01

Study summary

This randomized controlled trial will be conducted at Spectrum Clinic, Lahore, over a duration of 8 weeks to assess the impact of Modified Pilates Exercises on trunk control in children with Intellectual Disability (ID). ID is characterized by below-average IQ and delays in cognitive and functional development, affecting independence and motor skills. Trunk control plays a crucial role in posture, movement coordination, balance, and daily activities. A total of 40 participants will be selected through non-probability convenience sampling and randomly assigned to two groups: Group A (Modified Pilates Exercises) and Group B (General Physiotherapy Plan). Outcomes will be measured using the Trunk Control Measurement Scale (TCMS) and Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS) at baseline and after 8 weeks. Data will be analyzed using SPSS version 25.

Read the detailed description

Intellectual Disability (ID) is a condition in which individuals experience below-average IQ. Although a variety of terms, including learning disabilities and mental retardation have been used when referring to people who have impairments that impact on their cognitive and adaptive functioning. ID refers to the onset of delayed developmental milestones, which impact on intellectual and functional development, hence independent functioning is likely to be significantly lower than that of the average person during their lifetime. Trunk control can help children with intellectual disabilities meet developmental milestones by helping them to maintain posture, navigate their surroundings, coordinate body part movement, module fine motor control, initiate vestibule oculomotor reflexes, use their hands for various activities, remain seated without falling over and kept their body aligned while walking, running and jumping.

This study will be randomized controlled trial, conducted in Spectrum clinic, Lahore. This study will be completed in time duration of 8 weeks after the approval of synopsis. Non-probability convenience sampling technique will be used and 40 participants will be recruited in this study. Participants will be divided into two groups. Group A (Modified Pilates Exercises) and Group B (General Physiotherapy Plan). Tools will be used are Trunk control measurement (TCMS) and Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS). The data will be recorded at the baseline and after 8th week of intervention. After collection, data will be analyzed by using SPSS version 25.

02

Conditions studied

  • Mild Intellectual Disability

Keywords

  • Mild Intellectual Disability
  • Trunk control
  • Balance
  • Physical therapy
  • pilate exercises
03

In context

Intellectual Disability

363 studies on the registry are indexed under Intellectual Disability; 103 are open to participants now.

This study's planned enrollment of 40 is below the median of 53 across 236 interventional studies indexed under Intellectual Disability.

Browse Intellectual Disability studies →

Lead sponsor

Riphah International University is the lead sponsor of 2,133 studies on the registry; 633 are open to participants now.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
6 Years to 12 Years
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

  • Children aged 6-12 years.
  • Diagnosed with mild intellectual disability (IQ 50-70)
  • Ability to follow instruction and participate in Pilates Exercises
  • No significant physical or neurological conditions that could affect participants

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Severe intellectual disability(IQ\<50)
  • Significant physical and neurological conditions (Cerebral palsy, Spinal Cord Injury)
  • Visual and Hearing impairments that could impact participation
05

Study design

Phase
Not applicable
Primary purpose
Other
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention model
Parallel assignment
Masking
Single (Participant)
Enrollment
40 participants (estimated)

Study arms

  • Experimental
    Group A

    : Modified Pilates Exercises, will be given for 8 weeks, 4 times per week. Diaphragmatic Breathing, Bridging and Planks will be given. Intervention Session will be 40-45 minutes with short resting intervals

    Other: Modified Pilate Exercises · Other: General Physiotherapy Plan

  • Experimental
    Group B

    General Physiotherapy plan, Will be given for 8 weeks, 4 times per week. Bottom up Exercises, Bridging and Turning over facilitation. Intervention Session will be 40-45 minutes with short resting intervals

    Other: Modified Pilate Exercises · Other: General Physiotherapy Plan

Interventions

  • OtherModified Pilate Exercises

    Modified Pilates exercises are gentle adaptations of traditional Pilates movements, designed to accommodate various fitness levels, physical limitations, or specific health conditions. These exercises focus on core strength, flexibility, posture, and controlled breathing while reducing strain on joints and muscles. Often recommended for beginners, seniors, or individuals recovering from injury or surgery, modified Pilates may involve the use of props like pillows, resistance bands, or chairs to support proper alignment and ease of movement. By emphasizing slow, mindful motions and personalized adjustments, modified Pilates helps individuals safely build strength, improve mobility, and enhance overall body awareness without the risk of overexertion.

  • OtherGeneral Physiotherapy Plan

    A general physiotherapy plan for improving trunk control and balance focuses on enhancing core stability, postural alignment, and coordinated movement through targeted exercises and functional activities. The plan typically begins with gentle activation of deep core muscles such as the transverse abdominis and pelvic floor, progressing to dynamic tasks that challenge balance and coordination, like seated weight shifts, bridging, and reaching tasks in various positions (sitting, kneeling, or standing). Balance training may include exercises on unstable surfaces, gait training, and proprioceptive activities to improve body awareness and stability. The physiotherapy approach is individualized, gradually increasing in complexity and intensity as the patient gains strength and confidence, with consistent emphasis on proper technique, breathing, and safety to support overall mobility and independence.

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Trunk Control Measurement Scale (TCMS)

    The Trunk Control Measurement Scale (TCMS) is a standardized assessment tool used to measure trunk control in individuals with developmental delay, neurological disorders, or motor impairments. It evaluates posture maintenance, trunk stabilization, and movement across six subtasks, each rated on a scale from 0 to 4 or 0 to 5. The total score ranges from 0 to 24, offering a comprehensive evaluation of trunk control ability. The TCMS identifies specific areas of difficulty, tracks progress over time, and directs targeted interventions to enhance trunk control. Administration involves verbal instructions, visual demonstration, or physical guidance from the evaluator, with the participant performing each task up to three times, scored based on the best attempt

    Time frame: Baseline, 4th week, 8th week

  2. Pediatric Berg Balance Measurement Scale (PBBMS)

    The Pediatric Berg Balance Measurement (PBBM) is a well-established tool used to assess balance and postural control in children aged 5-15 years. Developed by Berg and colleagues, it comprises 14 items that evaluate standing, sitting, and transitional movements. Scores on the PBBM range from 0 to 56, with higher scores indicating better balance abilities(20). This assessment typically takes 15-20 minutes to administer and is highly reliable and valid. Physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and researchers utilize the PBBM to evaluate balance impairments in children with developmental delays, injuries, or neurological conditions, and to track progress and intervention outcomes effectively.

    Time frame: Baseline, 4th week, 8th week

07

Study locations

1 of 1 sites recruiting
  • Rising Sun Institute
    Lahore, Pinjab 54900, Pakistan
    Recruiting
08

References and documents

Publications

  • Balayi E, Sedaghati P, Ahmadabadi S. Effects of neuromuscular training on postural control of children with intellectual disability and developmental coordination disorders : Neuromuscular training and postural control. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2022 Jul 2;23(1):631. doi: 10.1186/s12891-022-05569-2. PubMed 35780104 ↗

Individual participant data

Plan to share: No

09

Updates

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on May 23, 2025, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
10

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT06987188
Lead sponsor
Riphah International University
Responsible party
Sponsor
First posted
May 23, 2025
Start date
Apr 16, 2025
Primary completion
Jun 11, 2025 (estimated)
Completion
Jun 11, 2025 (estimated)
Last update
May 23, 2025

Study contacts

IMRAN AMJAD, PhD
Contact
imran.amjad@riphah.edu.pk
33224390125
Muhammad Asif Javed, MS-PT
Contact
a.javed@riphah.edu.pk
03224209422
Khansa Khizar, MS-PPT
principal investigator · Riphah International University

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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