Mindful Movement And GAME BASED Training In Developmental Delay

Developmental delay in children is characterized by a delay in cognitive, motor, language, and social skills development. It can be associated with conditions like cerebral palsy, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and genetic disorders. Children with developmental delay often struggle with motor skills, balance, and gait, which can impair their ability to perform everyday tasks and engage socially. Addressing these issues is essential for improving their quality of life. Mindful movement and game-based training are two promising therapeutic interventions. Mindful movement, including practices like imaginative and reflective play, biomechanical warm ups improves motor skills by focusing on slow, deliberate movements, body awareness, and emotional regulation. Game-based training, on the other hand, uses engaging and interactive activities to enhance motor coordination, balance, and strength, while also fostering social interaction and cognitive development. This study is a randomized clinical trial to assess the effects of two interventions-mindful movement and game-based training-on children with developmental delay. It will be conducted at Acme Hospital, over a 10 month period. The study will involve 36 children aged 9-11 years, diagnosed with developmental delay, and will employ non-probability convenient sampling. The participants will be divided into two groups: Group A will receive mindful movement therapy, while Group B will undergo game-based training. Data will be collected using several assessment tools, Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency (BOT-2): <40 (22).Pediatric Berg Balance Scale (PBS) score of less than 45 (23). Functional Reach Test (FRT): 6-7 inches (22). Observational Gait Scale (OGS): >10 (22). Edinburgh Visual Gait Score (EVGS): <37. all of which have demonstrated strong reliability and validity. These tools will evaluate motor skills, balance, gait, and overall motor proficiency in the children.

Inclusion criteria

• Children age 9-11 years
• Both male and female
• Children diagnosed with developmental delay
• Mini mental state examination >24
• Participants who are able to understand and follow the instruction
• Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency (BOT-2): < 40
• Pediatric Berg Balance Scale (PBS) score of less than 45
• Functional Reach Test (FRT): 6-7 inches
• Observational Gait Scale (OGS): 0-3, >10
• Edinburgh Visual Gait Score (EVGS): < 37

Exclusion criteria

• Any cognitive impairment that limits understanding of instructions
• Uncontrolled seizures or medical conditions that contraindicate therapy
• Participation in other structured physiotherapy programs targeting motor skills, gait and balance
• Children with severe visual or hearing impairments affecting the ability to follow intervention activities .
• Children with recent lower-limb orthopedic injuries, fractures, or surgeries within the previous 6 months.
• Children with diagnosed genetic neuromuscular disorders associated with progressive motor deterioration (e.g., muscular dystrophy).