Effect of Pilates exercises on balance and gross motor coordination in children with Down syndrome

Objective To investigate the effect of Pilates exercises on balance and gross motor coordination in children with Down syndrome (DS). Methods Forty children with DS, aged 8 up to 10 years, were randomly divided into two groups; experimental and control groups. A designed physical therapy program was applied for both groups, while the experimental group received an additional Pilates exercise program. Balance and gross motor coordination as primary outcomes and quality of life (QoL) as secondary outcome were assessed using Biodex balance system (BBS), Bruininks Oseretsky of Motor Proficiency (BOT-2), and Pediatric quality of life inventory (PedsQL (TM)) sequentially. Results Both experimental (Pilates) and control groups demonstrated significant improvements in dynamic balance, gross motor coordination, and QoL after interventions. However, comparison between groups showed significant improvement in favor of the Pilates group in all measured outcomes (P < 0.0001). Conclusion Adding Pilates exercises to the designed physical therapy program could provide more significant improvements in balance, gross motor coordination, and QoL in children with DS. Trial registration Clinical Trial gov number Identifier: NCT05928949.