Effects of balance training on postural control of children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder

Abstract

Background: Children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have shown deficiencies in many physical activities in comparison with normally developing children. One of the problems of these children is the balance and postural control. Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of balance training on postural control of children with ADHD. Methods: Thirty children with ADHD participated in this study and were divided randomly into experimental and control groups. The experimental group performed balance training three times per week for seven weeks. During this period, the control group did not experience any exercises but continued their normal activities. The Biodex balance system (BBS) was used to evaluate static and dynamic balance. Results: The balance training significantly increased static and dynamic balance in the experimental group (P < 0.001), while the balance scores of children with ADHD in the control group did not change. Participants in the experimental group also performed static and dynamic balance tests significantly better than members of the control group (P < 0.001). Conclusions: The results showed that specific balance training improves postural control of children with ADHD. These balance trainings probably lead to an adaptive mechanism in the sensory process and cerebellar integration of children with ADHD.