The Effect of Body Percussion Training on Neuromotor Performance, Attention, and Functionality in Adolescents With Mild Intellectual Disability

The Effect of Body Percussion Training on Neuromotor Performance, Attention, and Functionality in Adolescents With Mild Intellectual Disability: A Randomized Controlled Study

The aim of this randomized controlled trial is to investigate the effects of group-based rhythm-based body percussion training on neuromotor performance, attention, and functionality in adolescents with mild intellectual disability.

The study will be conducted in individuals aged 14-18 years with mild intellectual disability using a two-arm, parallel-group, evaluator-blind design. Participants will be assigned to experimental and control groups using a simple randomization method.

The experimental group will receive structured body percussion training twice a week for 45 minutes over 8 weeks. This training consists of rhythmic patterns including clapping, knee tapping, chest tapping, finger snapping, and foot tapping, and will be presented as a progressively advancing program with metronome accompaniment.

The control group will receive passive music listening without intervention for the same duration and frequency.

Participants will be evaluated at two time points: before and after the intervention. Evaluation tools include: The tests cover neuromotor performance with the Minnesota Hand Skills Test and the Four Square Step Test, rhythm coordination with the Metronome Synchronization Test, attention with the Stroop Test, and functionality with the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Chart 2.0.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Being an adolescent aged 14-19 attending high school (e.g., special education high school)
• Having been diagnosed with mild intellectual disability (IQ range according to relevant psychological assessment)
• Having communication skills sufficient to understand simple commands and adapt to work
• Being able to perform basic daily living activities (toilet hygiene and management, bladder/bowel management, eating, bathing, personal hygiene, dressing, functional mobility, etc.) independently or with minimal support, regardless of the level of disability
• Signing an informed consent form with family consent and/or legal guardian consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Painful musculoskeletal/orthopedic (rheumatic, etc.) problems that may prevent physical participation in rhythm-based body percussion training, restrict movement during training, and cause pain
• Cardiovascular problems (arrhythmia, hypertension, etc.) that may prevent participants from attending training during the study period
• Diagnosis of moderate or severe intellectual disability
• Presence of additional diagnoses such as autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, or developmental coordination disorder
• Participation in a systematic physical therapy program other than rhythm or motor training
• Conditions affecting motor performance due to medical or surgical treatment (within the last 6 months)
• Severe auditory and visual deficits that hinder communication and the ability to imitate movements
• Individuals who cannot attend regularly during the study period due to personal or family reasons
• The family/adolescent's desire to withdraw from the study of their own accord