Developmental delay in children is characterized by delayed acquisition of cognitive, motor, language, and social skills and is commonly associated with conditions such as cerebral palsy, autism spectrum disorder, and genetic disorders. Children with developmental delay frequently experience impairments in motor skills, balance, and gait, which negatively affect their functional independence and social participation. Addressing these motor deficits is essential to enhance their quality of life.

Mindful movement and game-based training are two therapeutic approaches that have shown potential in improving motor performance in this population. Mindful movement emphasizes slow, controlled movements, body awareness, emotional regulation, imaginative play, and biomechanical warm-up exercises to enhance motor control. In contrast, game-based training employs engaging and interactive activities to improve motor coordination, balance, strength, and social interaction.

This randomized clinical trial aims to compare the effects of mindful movement and game-based training in children with developmental delay. The study will be conducted at PSRD Hospital over a 10-month period and will include 36 children aged 9-11 years selected through non-probability convenience sampling. Participants will be randomly assigned to two groups: Group A will receive mindful movement therapy, and Group B will undergo game-based training. Outcomes will be assessed using validated tools, including the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency (BOT-2), Pediatric Berg Balance Scale (PBS), Functional Reach Test (FRT), Observational Gait Scale (OGS), and Edinburgh Visual Gait Score (EVGS), to evaluate motor skills, balance, gait, and overall motor proficiency.

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 PSRD 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 convenience 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): < 25th percentile (22).Pediatric Berg Balance Scale (PBS) score of less than 45 (23). Functional Reach Test (FRT): < 6-7 inches (22). Observational Gait Scale (OGS): Likert-type scale 0 to 4 (22). Edinburgh Visual Gait Score (EVGS): Scale 0 to 6 (23). 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
• Participants who are able to understand and follow the instruction
• Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency (BOT-2): < 25th percentile
• Pediatric Berg Balance Scale (PBS) score of less than 45
• Functional Reach Test (FRT): < 6-7 inches
• Observational Gait Scale (OGS): Likert-type scale 0 to 4
• Edinburgh Visual Gait Score (EVGS): Scale 0 to 6

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 other neurological diseases will be excluded