The Effect of Eight Weeks of Cawthorne Cooksey Training on Static and Dynamic Balance in Children with Down Syndrome: A Quasi-Experimental Study

Children with down syndrome show the weakness of balance and postural control. The Purpose of this study was the investigation the effects of eight weeks Cawthorne Cooksey training on static and dynamic balance in children with Down syndrome.

In this quasi-experimental study, the statistical sample consisted of 30 boys with Down syndrome, ages 8 to 10 years and an Intelligence quotient between 50 to 70 from Shahryar city in 2021, who selected based on convenience sampling method and then divided into two similar groups of 15 people in experimental and control group. For measuring static balance, the Sharpand Romberg test was used and for measuring dynamic balance, the Berg balance test was used. The Cawthorne Cooksey exercise implemented in experimental group, for 8 weeks (3 sessions of 45 minutes per week). The control group did not receive any intervention. Static and Dynamic Balance was assessed before and after the training program and compared between groups. To analyze data, independent t test and multivariate analysis of covariance were used.

The results of this study showed the eight weeks of Cawthorne Cooksey training had significant effects on improvement of the static Balance (on foam and firm surface) and dynamic balance in children with Down syndrome (P<0.05). The effect size value for static balance on soft and firm surface was 0.81 and 0.52 and for dynamic balance was 0.55 (P=0.001).

The results of our study showed the improvement of static and dynamic balance after 8 week Cawthorne Cooksey training. Therefore, the Cawthorne Cooksey training is suggested as an effective exercise to improve the static and dynamic balance and postural stability in children with Down syndrome