Effects of a cognitive-motor dual-task exercise program versus exergaming on cognitive function in children with down syndrome: A single-blinded randomized trial.
Maha F Algabbani, Safia Darweesh Halwsh, Samiah Alqabbani et al.
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In 30 seconds
This single-blinded randomized trial compared cognitive-motor dual-task training with exergaming in 23 children with Down syndrome aged 8–14 years. Participants completed twelve 45-minute sessions over six weeks, with cognitive assessments before and after the intervention. Both groups improved on measures of attention and executive function, including reaction time and errors; incongruency latency increased in both groups (p < 0.01, η² = 0.33). No significant group-by-time effects or memory improvements were found, indicating comparable cognitive outcomes for the two programs in this study.
Key findings
- Reaction time improved over the intervention period (p < 0.01, η² = 0.31).
- Error reduction, single-task errors, and side block errors showed significant positive time effects (p = 0.01, p = 0.01, and p = 0.05, respectively).
- Incongruency latency increased in both groups from pre- to post-intervention (p < 0.01, η² = 0.33).
- There were no significant group-by-time effects or significant memory improvements.
Why it matters
Cognitive and motor delays can affect children with Down syndrome, and these findings suggest that cognitively engaging physical activity may support attention and executive-function outcomes. The comparable results for dual-task training and exergaming offer evidence about two approaches, while the absence of memory effects underscores that benefits were not observed across all measured cognitive domains.
What to keep in mind
The trial included only 23 children, and outcomes were assessed immediately before and after the intervention; longer-term effects are not reported.