Systematic review and meta-analysis of balance training in children with developmental disorders

Children exhibiting atypical developmental trajectories often experience motor skill impairments, making them a priority for targeted interventions. While the benefits of balance training (BT) are well-established in typically developing populations, its impact on children with developmental disorders remains underexplored.

This systematic review aimed to assess the effectiveness of BT in enhancing motor performance among children with developmental or health-related conditions.

A comprehensive search was conducted across PubMed, Web of Science Core Collection, CINAHL, MEDLINE, SPORTDiscus, Scopus, and CNKI, covering publications up to January 2026. Eligible studies were limited to randomized controlled trials that examined BT interventions targeting at least one motor skill (e.g., balance, strength) in children with developmental disorders.

A total of 22 trials met the inclusion criteria. The findings indicated that BT produced moderate effects on static balance (ES = 0.90), dynamic balance (ES = 0.65), functional balance (ES = 1.01), and gross motor function (ES = 0.55). Only a limited number of studies examined muscle strength and coordination, and positive effects were reported.

The findings support the potential of BT to enhance balance and gross motor function in children with developmental disorders. Nevertheless, the current evidence base is constrained by methodological heterogeneity, and evidence-based guidance on optimal BT protocols remains lacking. Future research should prioritize high-quality, standardized trials that investigate task-specific BT interventions and systematically examine dose-response relationships to better clarify effectiveness and support translation to real-world clinical and educational settings.