We tested whether adding a simple, structured Body Awareness Training (BAT) program to conventional physiotherapy improves motor skills, everyday activity performance, and participation (goal achievement and satisfaction) in children with mild to moderate intellectual disability.41 children aged 8-15 years with mild or moderate intellectual disability completed the study. They were randomly assigned to receive either standard physiotherapy (control) or the same physiotherapy plus Body Awareness Training (intervention).All children received conventional physiotherapy three times per week for six weeks (18 sessions total). The physiotherapy included warm-up, range-of-motion, stretching, strengthening exercises and electrotherapy. The intervention group received an additional 30 minutes per session of Body Awareness Training during the same period. BAT activities were simple, rhythmic, and child-friendly. Both groups improved in some fine motor domains, but improvements were larger in the group that received Body Awareness Training. The BAT group showed additional significant gains in manual dexterity, balance, and running speed/agility that were not observed in the control group. Children in the BAT group reported greater improvements in everyday activity performance and higher satisfaction. The BAT group also achieved better outcomes on individualized functional goals (GAS) for several prioritized activities.
Most improvements were maintained at the 10-week follow-up. Adding short, structured Body Awareness Training to routine physiotherapy may provide extra benefits for motor coordination, balance, and meaningful everyday functioning in children with mild-moderate intellectual disability.
BAT exercises are low-cost, adaptable, and can be integrated into regular therapy sessions; they may help bridge improvements in motor skills to better performance and participation in daily life. Clinicians should individualize intensity and progression according to each child's abilities and stop or adapt activities if pain, excessive fatigue, or breathlessness occurs.
Inclusion Criteria:
Exclusion Criteria:
Outcome assessments were performed at baseline (T0), post-treatment (T1), and 10-week follow-up (T2) by a licensed physiotherapist who was completely blinded to group allocation and had no involvement in delivering the intervention protocols. To maintain the integrity of the blinding, the treating physiotherapist-who was responsible for delivering both the conventional and body awareness interventions-did not participate in any part of the assessment or data entry process. During the data analysis phase, the principal investigators conducted the statistical analysis on de-identified datasets to ensure that the evaluation of results remained independent of the treatment delivery.
Participants in this arm received a conventional physiotherapy program consisting of strengthening, stretching, and range-of-motion (ROM) exercises, along with electrotherapy as clinically indicated. The program was delivered in 60-minute sessions, three times per week for six weeks (18 sessions total). All exercises were individualized by a licensed physiotherapist based on each child's age, functional capacity, and tolerance.
Participants in this arm received the same conventional physiotherapy program as the control group (strengthening, stretching, ROM exercises, and electrotherapy), augmented with a structured Body Awareness Training (BAT) module. The BAT protocol included body scanning, breathing awareness, cross-body coordination, rhythmic tactile stimulation, postural alignment, and weight-shifting activities. The program was delivered in 90-minute sessions (60 minutes conventional + 30 minutes BAT), three times per week for six weeks (18 sessions total), individualized by a licensed physiotherapist.
Mersin, Mersin 99040, Turkey (Türkiye)
The Effectiveness of Participation-focused Interventions on Body Functions of Youth With Physical Disabilities
Biofeedback Training's Impact on Cognitive and Motor Skills in Kids With Intellectual Disabilities
Investigation of the Effects of Basic Body Awareness Training on Motor Skills İn Children at Risk of Developmental Delay
The Impact of Participation on Body Functions Among Youth With Physical Disabilities
Effects of Structured Physical Activity Breaks and Free Play in Children With Mild Intellectual Disability
Cognitive Sensory Motor Training Therapy for Children With Cerebral Palsy
The Effect of Body Percussion Training on Neuromotor Performance, Attention, and Functionality in Adolescents With Mild Intellectual Disability
The Effectiveness of Neurodevelopmental Treatment (Bobath) and Functional Physiotherapy in Children With Cerebral Palsy.