Effects of a Structured Physical Activity Program on Balance and Functional Performance in Children With Down Syndrome (DS-YOGA)

April 14, 2026 updated by: Senem Guner, Ankara University

Effects of a Structured Yoga-Based Physical Activity Program on Balance and Functional Performance in Children With Down Syndrome: A Pilot Intervention Study

Children with Down syndrome commonly exhibit hypotonia, impaired balance, and reduced functional mobility. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a structured yoga-based physical activity program on balance and functional performance in children with Down syndrome.

Fifteen children aged 7-12 years participated in a 12-week intervention program consisting of adaptive yoga exercises, breathing techniques, and relaxation practices. Outcome measures included balance assessment using a sensor-based digital system and functional performance tests.

The findings are expected to provide evidence on the effectiveness of structured physical activity interventions in improving motor performance in children with Down syndrome.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Completed

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

This study was designed as a single-group interventional pilot study to investigate the effects of a structured yoga-based physical activity program on balance and functional performance in children with Down syndrome.

Participants aged between 7 and 12 years were recruited from a special education center. The intervention lasted 12 weeks and included adaptive yoga postures, breathing exercises, and relaxation techniques tailored to the functional abilities of the participants.

Balance was assessed using a sensor-based digital balance system, and functional performance was evaluated using standardized clinical tests including the Timed Up and Go test, Five Times Sit to Stand test, Two-Minute Walk Test, and One-Leg Balance Test.

Assessments were conducted before and after the intervention. The study aimed to explore whether structured physical activity can improve postural control and functional mobility in children with Down syndrome.

This pilot study provides preliminary evidence to support the integration of structured physical activity programs into rehabilitation strategies for children with Down syndrome.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
15

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Child
  • Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Children aged 7-18 years with a clinical diagnosis of Down syndrome
  • Ability to follow simple verbal instructions
  • Ability to stand independently with or without assistive devices
  • Participation in a structured physical activity program
  • Informed consent obtained from parents or legal guardians

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Severe orthopedic, neurological, or cardiovascular conditions affecting balance or mobility
  • Uncontrolled epilepsy
  • Severe visual or vestibular impairments affecting balance
  • Recent lower limb surgery or injury (within the past 6 months)
  • Inability to complete assessment procedures

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: N/A
  • Interventional Model: Single Group Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Experimental: Yoga Intervention
Participants received a structured yoga-based physical activity program designed for children with Down syndrome. The program focused on improving balance, postural control, and functional performance. Sessions were conducted 3 times per week for 8 weeks, each lasting approximately 45-60 minutes.
Behavioral: Yoga Program
A structured yoga-based exercise program including balance, coordination, and postural control exercises tailored for children with Down syndrome. The intervention aimed to enhance motor performance and functional abilities.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Static Balance Performance
Time Frame: Baseline and 8 weeks intervention
Static balance was assessed using a sensor-based balance system (BOBO Pro 2). Measurements included stability and postural sway parameters recorded during quiet standing in children with Down syndrome.
Baseline and 8 weeks intervention

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Dynamic Balance Performance
Time Frame: Baseline and 8 weeks intervention
Dynamic balance was evaluated using functional balance tasks with a sensor-based system (BOBO Pro 2), assessing movement control and postural stability during dynamic activities in children with Down syndrome.
Baseline and 8 weeks intervention
Functional Performance (Timed Up and Go Test and Five Times Sit-to-Stand Test)
Time Frame: Baseline and 8 weeks intervention
Functional performance was assessed using standardized functional tests including the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test and the Five Times Sit-to-Stand (5xSTS) test. The TUG test evaluates functional mobility, balance, and walking ability, and is recorded as the time in seconds required to stand up from a chair, walk 3 meters, turn, walk back, and sit down. The 5xSTS test assesses lower limb strength and functional mobility and is recorded as the time in seconds required to complete five consecutive sit-to-stand repetitions. All assessments were conducted in children with Down syndrome.
Baseline and 8 weeks intervention

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
Ankara University

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
June 1, 2025

Primary Completion (Actual)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
September 3, 2025

Study Completion (Actual)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
October 5, 2025

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
April 9, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
April 14, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
April 16, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
April 16, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
April 14, 2026

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
April 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • 2025/373-ANKU-ETIK

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

IPD Plan Description

Individual participant data will not be shared.

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

Clinical Trials on Rehabilitation

Clinical Trials on Yoga Program

Search Similar Trials

Sponsors and Collaborators

Medical Conditions

Drug Interventions

Conditions

Rare Diseases

Drug Interventions

Dietary Supplements

Sponsor/Collaborators

Locations

Cookie Settings

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. For more details carefully read our Privacy and Cookies Policy. ...>>>You can change your preferences or withdraw your consent at any time by deleting the cookies from your website or computer as described in the policy. Please accept it and choose your preferences by ticking the corresponding boxes in the "Manage Settings" section below. Please carefully read our Terms of Service before you proceed with using any part of this website.
«Manage Settings