Task Specific vs Basketball-Based Balan… | Clinical Trial

Key information

Conditions

Development Delay Communication Disorders Learning Disabilities Mental Disorders Nervous System Diseases Neurobehavioral Manifestations Neurodevelopmental Disorders Neurologic Manifestations Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms

Age range

5 year–12 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

About this study

Developmental delay (DD) in children presents as delays in motor, cognitive, and social skills that are essential for daily life. The most affected areas are gross motor and balance abilities. These are crucial for mobility, independence, and participation in physical activities. Physiologically, gross motor function involves the coordinated work of the neuromuscular system, proprioceptive input, and cerebellar processing. These systems help maintain balance and perform postural transitions. When delayed, they can lead to poor coordination, postural instability, and reduced physical activity.

Globally, developmental delay affects an estimated 5% to 15% of children. The rate is higher in low- and middle-income countries due to malnutrition, prenatal issues, and lack of early intervention. In Pakistan, 37.9% of children in a Karachi-based study had developmental delay. The condition was more common in slum areas.

Task-specific balance training (TSBT) aims to improve sensory integration and postural control. It uses targeted tasks that challenge balance in static and dynamic situations. A randomized trial showed significant improvements in sensory organization and balance in children with developmental disorder who received TSBT. Task-oriented basketball training (TOBT), on the other hand, combines cognitive and motor challenges. It uses sport-specific activities to enhance balance, coordination, and fitness. Research shows that TOBT improves motor skill-related fitness in children with DD. Previous research has found that both task-specific balance training and task-oriented basketball training independently help children with developmental delay by improving their balance and movement skills. However, no studies have directly compared these two methods to see which one works better. This study will do that comparison. The results will help therapists choose the best training approach for these children, improving rehabilitation strategies.

This study signifies the importance of effects of Task Specific Balance Training and Task-oriented Basketball Training in enhancing balance and motor skills in developmentally delayed children which ultimately contributes towards making them a functional independent individual of our community. Improved balance and coordination may enhance children active participation in community activities, reducing caregiver dependence. This study will contribute optimizing rehabilitation strategies for pediatric population with motor and balance impairments.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

Children aged 5-12

Diagnosed with DD
Able to follow instruction
Male and female are included

Exclusion criteria

• Neurological conditions other than DD

Musculoskeletal deformities
Visual or hearing impairments
Participants who are unable to engage in the assigned interventions due to physical or cognitive limitations

Treatment and study plan

Task Specific Balance Training

Other

Group A participants will undergo Task Specific Balance Training. It is a rehabilitation approach that focus on improving balance by practicing specific balance related tasks.

Task-oriented Basketball Training

Other

Group B participants will undergo Task-oriented Basketball Training. It is a rehabilitation approach that focuses on balance, coordination and gross motor skills through specific basketball related tasks.

Primary outcomes

Improved balance

Time frame: 8 WEEKS

Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS) is a 14 item performance based measure, assessing balance in sitting, standing and during functional tasks. Each item is scored on a scale of 0-4, with higher scores indicating better balance

Secondary outcomes

Improved motor skills

Time frame: 8 WEEKS

Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM-88) is a standardized observational tool, measuring gross motor function in five domains: lying/rolling(17 items), sitting(20 items), crawling/kneeling(14 items), standing(13 items) and walking/running/jumping(24 items). The score for each dimension is presented as the percentage of maximum score for the dimension. Each of 88 items is scored on a 4-point ordinal scale(0 = does not initiate, 1 = initiates, 2 = partially completes, 3 = completes). Minimum possible total score is 0% and maximum possible score score is 100%. Higher scores represent better gross motor function and improvement.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Shalamar Institute of Health Sciences

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Effects of Task Specific Balance Training VS Task-oriented Basketball Training on Balance and Motor Skills in Children With Developmental Delay

Important dates

Study start: 2025
Primary completion: 2025
Study completion: 2025
First posted: Jun 11, 2025
Registry last updated: Jun 29, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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