Vestibular Stimulation Versus Foot Intrinsic Muscle Exercises in Children With Down Syndrome | NCT07778654 | Trialant

Not yet recruitingInterventionalNot ApplicableUpdated Aug 21, 2026

Vestibular Stimulation Versus Foot Intrinsic Muscle Exercises in Children With Down Syndrome

Effects of Vestibular Stimulation VS Foot Intrinsic Muscles Exercises on Balance and Functional Mobility in Children With Down's Syndrome

Overview

Key facts that identify this study and show where it stands today.

ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT07778654
Lead Sponsor: Shalamar Institute of Health SciencesOTHER
Overall Status: Not yet recruiting
Study Type: Interventional
Phase: Not Applicable
Enrollment: 48Estimated
Last Update Posted: Aug 21, 2026Actual
Start Date: Sep 2, 2026Estimated
Primary Completion Date: Feb 28, 2027Estimated
Completion Date: Mar 29, 2027Estimated

Description

What the study is about and why it is being run, in the researchers' own words.

Official Title: Effects of Vestibular Stimulation VS Foot Intrinsic Muscles Exercises on Balance and Functional Mobility in Children With Down's Syndrome
Brief Summary: This study will compare the effects of vestibular stimulation exercises and foot intrinsic muscle exercises on balance and functional mobility in children with Down syndrome aged 4-15 years. Children with Down syndrome commonly experience balance and mobility difficulties due to hypotonia, ligamentous laxity, and impaired postural control. The study will determine which of the two exercise approaches is more effective in improving balance and functional mobility, using the Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS) and Timed Up and Go (TUG) test. The findings may help physiotherapists select appropriate rehabilitation strategies to improve functional independence in children with Down syndrome.
Detailed Description

Conditions

The medical conditions and diseases this study investigates.

Down Syndrome
Balance Impairment
Functional Mobility

Interventions

The treatments and procedures being evaluated in this study.

Vestibular Stimulation Exercises
Foot Intrinsic Muscle Exercises

Participation

Who can join this study and the criteria used to decide.

Ages Eligible for Study: Child (0-17)
Sexes Eligible for Study: All
Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
Eligibility Criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

• Children with Down syndrome with age range (4-15 years) both male and female children included [12]. • Children who are able to stand and walk/ambulate independently and follow verbal instructions and commands and comply with intervention protocol [13]. • No visual and hearing impairment • Parent/guardian willing to provide consent for participant

Exclusion Criteria:

Associated congenital heart disease • Hearing impairment, eye problems such as cataract or other visual impairment • Dementia and cognitive decline. • Lower limb trauma or surgical intervention within the previous 6 months affecting comprehension or ability to perform balance/mobility activities [13]

Design

How the study is designed and how its participant groups are organized.

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)

Contacts

The people to reach with questions about this study or how to join it.

laiba shad, DPTContact

laibashad27@gmail.com03066493073

Locations

Where the study is run and whether each site is currently recruiting.

No locations

There are no locations for this study.

Collaborators

The organizations and people involved in this study.

Lead Sponsor: Shalamar Institute of Health SciencesOTHER

Similar Studies

Other registered studies that closely resemble this one.

Down syndrome (DS) is a genetic disorder commonly associated with hypotonia, ligamentous laxity, impaired postural control, motor incoordination, and balance difficulties. These impairments can negatively affect functional mobility and participation in activities of daily living. Balance is one of the major functional domains affected in children and adolescents with Down syndrome. Postural instability may result in increased displacement of the center of mass during gait and center of pressure during standing, which can further affect gait performance, transfers, and other functional activities.

Pes planus (flat foot) is also frequently observed in individuals with Down syndrome and may contribute to impaired balance, physical activity, and quality of life. Vestibular stimulation exercises (VSE) provide repetitive sensory information regarding body position, movement, and orientation in space and may improve postural control and balance. Similarly, foot intrinsic muscle exercises (FIMEs) aim to strengthen the muscles responsible for foot stability and may improve foot function, postural control, gait, and functional mobility.

Previous studies have reported beneficial effects of vestibular stimulation and foot intrinsic muscle exercises when used independently in individuals with Down syndrome or balance-related impairments. However, there is limited research directly comparing these two approaches in children with Down syndrome. Therefore, this study will compare the effects of vestibular stimulation exercises and foot intrinsic muscle exercises on balance and functional mobility in children aged 4-15 years with Down syndrome.

Balance will be assessed using the Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS), while functional mobility will be evaluated using the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test. The study aims to determine which intervention provides greater improvement in balance and functional mobility. The findings may help physiotherapists and rehabilitation professionals select an appropriate exercise approach for children with Down syndrome and contribute to the development of more effective pediatric rehabilitation strategies.