Maze Activities' Impact on Balance and Gait in Cognitively Impaired Children

Cognitive impairment in children is associated not only with limitations in intellectual functioning and adaptive behaviors but also with deficits in motor performance, particularly in balance and gait. These impairments can adversely affect a child's ability to navigate their environment, participate in play, and perform daily activities independently. Motor difficulties in this population often stem from poor postural control, inadequate neuromuscular coordination, and challenges in sensory processing. The Minds in Motion program is a structured, movement-based intervention designed to engage multiple sensory systems- proprioceptive, vestibular, and visual-through a series of maze-like physical activities. This integrative approach stimulates both cognitive and motor pathways, which may contribute to improvements in motor planning, spatial orientation, and movement efficiency. While this program has been implemented in schools to support cognitive and attentional functions, its therapeutic application in physiotherapy for children with cognitive impairment has not been extensively studied. This study aims to evaluate the effects of the Minds in Motion Maze activities program on balance and gait in children diagnosed with cognitive impairment. A Randomized controlled trial will be used, and participants will undergo the intervention. The study will be completed in 10 months after the approval of synopsis. 22 kids age ranged 5-12 years will be randomly assigned into an experimental group and control group. The intervention, the mind-in-motion activity, consist of 15 exercise stations performed 2 times per week for 6 week. Control group receives baseline activities. Standardized tools such as the Pediatric Balance Scale and Observational gait scale will be used to assess changes in balance and gait performance before and after the intervention

Inclusion criteria

• School going children of age 6-12 years,
• Clinically diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment,
• Children without severe medical conditions or orthopedic issues,
• Ability to follow simple instructions,
• Signed informed consent from parent and guardians.

Exclusion criteria

• Children with severe physical impairment,
• Children with vestibular dysfunction and hearing problem,
• Use of orthopedic devices that restrict movement.