Balance and Motor Skills in SLD Children

Assessment of Postural Control, Balance and Fine Motor Skills in Children With Specific Learning Disabilities; A Descriptive Cross-Sectional Study

This study aimed to evaluate postural control, balance, and fine motor skills in children followed up with a diagnosis of specific learning disabilities.

Study Overview

• Status: Not yet recruiting
• Conditions: Learning Disabilities
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: -Seated Postural Control Measure; Other: -Bruininks-Oseretsky Motor Proficiency Test (two sub-items) for balance; Other: -Jebsen Taylor Hand Function Test (JTEFT) and 9-Hole Peg Test to assess hand function

Detailed Description

The aim of this study is to evaluate postural control, balance, and fine motor skills in specific learning disabilities, a common problem. While various studies have shown impairments in balance and fine motor skills in the literature, no studies were found that evaluated postural control in children with specific learning disabilities. If the results of this study reveal statistically significant impairments in posture control and balance, observing these physical impairments could partially prevent delays in diagnosing specific learning disabilities. Furthermore, adding specific exercises to the rehabilitation program for children with specific learning disabilities can significantly improve their quality of daily life. The investigators hope that the results of this study will contribute to the literature by raising awareness about specific learning disabilities, postural control, balance, and fine motor skills.

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Estimated): 38

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Nurten NAS KIRDAR, Assistant Professor; Phone Number: +905415511691; Email: nkirdar@bandirma.edu.tr
• Study Contact Backup: Name: Özge Asena DUYGU, Specialist Physician; Email: ozgeasenaduygu@gmail.com

Study Locations

• Turkey (Türkiye)
  • Bandırma
    • Balıkesir, Bandırma, Turkey (Türkiye), 10200
      • Bandırma Onyedi Eylul University Faculty of Medicine
      • Contact: Ayşe Güldem Kilciler, Prof.; Phone Number: +9 0266 717 01 17; Email: akilciler@bandirma.edu.tr
      • Principal Investigator: Nurten Nas Kırdar, Assistant Professor

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Child; Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

• Sampling Method: Probability Sample

Study Population

children diagnosed with specific learning disabilities

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Being followed up with a diagnosis of Specific Learning Disability
• Being between 6-18 years old

Exclusion Criteria:

• Cognitive dysfunction
• Uncontrolled psychiatric illness
• Mental retardation
• Vision problems
• Hearing problems

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Number of groups / cohorts

1

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort

Intervention / Treatment

38 children diagnosed with specific learning disabilities

Other: -Seated Postural Control Measure; -The Seated Postural Control Measure will be used to assess postural control. This measurement evaluates both postural abnormalities and determines the effect of sitting on postural control. The highest possible score on the scale is 88 points for upright sitting posture (USP) and 48 points for upper extremity functionality (UEF). A high score on the test represents good postural control.; Other: -Bruininks-Oseretsky Motor Proficiency Test (two sub-items) for balance; -Balance will be assessed using two sub-items from the short form of the Bruininks-Oseretsky Motor Competency Test. The first test assesses standing on a balance beam with the dominant foot (eyes open), and the second test assesses standing in a "toe-heel contact" position on the balance beam. The time the child spends standing is recorded in seconds. A longer duration indicates better balance.; Other: -Jebsen Taylor Hand Function Test (JTEFT) and 9-Hole Peg Test to assess hand function; -The Jebsen Taylor Hand Function Test (JTHFT) assesses card flipping, picking up small objects, inserting chips, and eating. In the 9-hole peg test, children are asked to place nine pegs one by one into holes on a platform and then remove them. The time elapsed is recorded in seconds. Longer times indicate poor fine motor skills.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Seated Postural Control Measure results	-Seated Postural Control Measure results (this measurement described at material metod section)	6 months
Jebsen Taylor Hand Function Test (JTHFT) duration	-Jebsen Taylor Hand Function Test (JTHFT) duration	6 months
9-hole peg test duration	9-hole peg test duration	6 months
Standing time on the balance board with the dominant foot (Eyes open)	This test is a sub-item included in the short form of the Bruininks-Oseretsky Motor Proficiency Test. This test is based on the time it takes to perform the required motor skill in the required manner. The child attempts to stand on a balance beam with their dominant foot, while keeping the other foot in a flexed position parallel to the ground. The child looks at a point 7 feet (2.14 m) away and at eye level, and tries to maintain their balance for 10 seconds. The time they can hold the balance is recorded.	6 months
Standing time in the "toe-heel contact" position on the balance board	This test is a sub-item included in the short form of the Bruininks-Oseretsky Motor Proficiency Test. Children are asked to stand on a balance beam for 10 seconds with their back big toe touching the heel of their front foot. The time they can hold the balance is recorded.	6 months

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Relationship between age and Sitting Posture Control Measurement	-Relationship between age and Sitting Posture Control Measurement	6 months
Relationship between gender and Sitting Posture Control Measurement	-Relationship between gender and Sitting Posture Control Measurement	6 months
Relationship between age and two sub-items of the balance test in the short form of the Bruininks-Oseretsky Motor Proficiency Test	-Relationship between age and two sub-items of the balance test in the short form of the Bruininks-Oseretsky Motor Proficiency Test	6 months
Relationship between gender and two sub-items of the balance test in the short form of the Bruininks-Oseretsky Motor Proficiency Test	-Relationship between gender and two sub-items of the balance test in the short form of the Bruininks-Oseretsky Motor Proficiency Test	6 months
Relationship between age and Jebsen Taylor Hand Function Test (JTHFT) duration	-Relationship between age and Jebsen Taylor Hand Function Test (JTHFT) duration	6 months
Relationship between age and 9-hole peg test duration	-Relationship between age and 9-hole peg test duration	6 months
Relationship between gender and Jebsen Taylor Hand Function Test (JTHFT) duration	-Relationship between gender and Jebsen Taylor Hand Function Test (JTHFT) duration	6 months
Relationship between gender and 9-hole peg test duration	-Relationship between gender and 9-hole peg test duration	6 months

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Bandırma Onyedi Eylül University

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Piek JP, Dyck MJ. Sensory-motor deficits in children with developmental coordination disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and autistic disorder. Hum Mov Sci. 2004 Oct;23(3-4):475-88. doi: 10.1016/j.humov.2004.08.019.

Helpful Links

• recommendation
• recommendation

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Estimated): February 9, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): August 9, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): August 30, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: February 2, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 11, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): February 19, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): February 23, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 19, 2026
• Last Verified: February 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: exercise therapy; postural balance; motor skills; learning disabilities
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Neurologic Manifestations; Nervous System Diseases; Mental Disorders; Neurobehavioral Manifestations; Neurodevelopmental Disorders; Communication Disorders; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Signs and Symptoms; Learning Disabilities
• Other Study ID Numbers: E-67961857-050.04-2500033434

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO
• IPD Plan Description: Once our study is completed, and if it is deemed suitable for publication after peer review, all researchers will have access to our results.

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No