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Assessment of rehabilitation effects in children with mild intellectual disability
Andżelina Wolan-Nieroda1, Anna Wojnarska2, Grzegorz Mańko3,4
1Department of Physiotherapy, College of Medical Sciences, Institute of Health Sciences, University of Rzeszów, Rzeszów, Poland.
Insights
Rehabilitation programs significantly improved motor skills and balance in children with mild intellectual disability (ID). These benefits were consistent across both obese and normal-weight children, highlighting inclusivity in therapeutic approaches.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Developmental Disabilities
Background:
- Intellectual disability (ID) impacts motor development, necessitating effective rehabilitation strategies.
- Obesity can further complicate motor skill acquisition in children with ID.
- Understanding rehabilitation effectiveness across different weight statuses is crucial for tailored interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the effectiveness of a six-month rehabilitation program on physical fitness and balance in children with mild ID.
- To investigate if body mass index (BMI) percentile (obesity vs. normal weight) influences rehabilitation outcomes.
- To provide evidence for inclusive therapeutic program design in special education.
Main Methods:
- Seventy children with mild ID were divided into two groups based on BMI percentile (obese vs. normal weight).
- Physical fitness (Eurofit Special Test) and balance (single-leg stance, timed up and go) were assessed pre- and post-intervention.
- A six-month therapy program was implemented for all participants.
Main Results:
- Significant improvements were observed in upper and lower limb muscle strength, flexibility, and static balance for the entire cohort.
- No significant differences in rehabilitation effectiveness were found between the obese and normal-weight groups.
- The study demonstrates comparable benefits of rehabilitation regardless of weight status.
Conclusions:
- Rehabilitation programs are effective in enhancing motor parameters in children with mild ID.
- Weight status (obesity or normal weight) does not appear to affect the efficacy of these rehabilitation interventions.
- Findings support the implementation of inclusive rehabilitation strategies for children with mild ID in clinical and educational settings.
Abstract:
Research on effectiveness of rehabilitation programmes continues to investigate impact of therapeutic interventions on various motor parameters in children with intellectual disability (ID). This study compared the effectiveness of rehabilitation, reflected by physical fitness, static balance, and dynamic balance measurements, in children with mild ID. A total of 70 children with mild ID were enrolled for the study and were divided into two equal groups based on their body mass index (BMI) percentile, reflecting obesity or normal weight. Physical fitness was assessed using the Eurofit Special Test, whereas balance was evaluated with single-leg stance and timed up and go tests. The examinations were performed twice: At the beginning and at the end of a six-month therapy programme. Improvements were shown in the muscle strength of the upper limbs (p < 0.001) and lower limbs (p = 0.001), flexibility (p = 0.005), and static balance (p < 0.001) for the entire cohort. The effects of rehabilitation did not differ significantly between the children with obesity and those with a normal weight. These results may be important from the viewpoint of clinical practice and preventive measures, as they present evidence showing that rehabilitation is equally effective in both obese and normal weight children with mild ID. Therefore, these findings may be of assistance to those designing therapeutic programmes in special education centres.
