Effects of balance, coordination, and strength training in children with low vision: a randomized controlled study.

Children with low vision often face challenges with balance, coordination, and movement, so this randomised controlled trial tested whether an eight-week physiotherapy program targeting these skills could improve motor function. Twenty-two children aged 7-14 with ophthalmologist-diagnosed low vision were randomly assigned to a treatment group (n=10), who did three 75-minute sessions weekly of balance, coordination, and strengthening exercises, or a control group (n=12). Outcomes included a motor proficiency test (BOT-2), a posture assessment, muscle strength grading, and gait analysis. The treatment group showed statistically significant improvements in overall motor proficiency and several subscales, along with greater postural improvement than controls and some gait changes (left step length, right pelvic propulsion) not seen in controls.

Strength gains occurred in both groups without a significant between-group difference. The small sample size, especially the modest group sizes, limits confidence in how broadly these findings apply.

This study looked at whether a structured eight-week exercise program could help children with low vision move better, balance more steadily, and stand with better posture. Twenty-two children aged 7 to 14 took part: 10 did the exercise program three times a week (balance, coordination, and strengthening exercises), while 12 continued as usual without this program, acting as a comparison group. Children in the exercise group showed clear improvements in overall motor skills, including fine motor coordination, running speed, agility, and strength, plus better posture than the comparison group.

Some walking measurements also improved, such as step length and pelvis movement, though most other walking measures didn't change significantly. Both groups gained some muscle strength, without a meaningful difference between them. Because only 22 children took part, split into two small groups, these results should be seen as an early, promising signal rather than firm proof that this program works for all children with low vision.

No safety information was reported in the abstract.

This is a summary of research, not medical advice. Talk to your own healthcare provider about anything affecting your care.

This RCT examined an eight-week, thrice-weekly physiotherapy program combining balance, coordination, and strengthening exercises in children aged 7-14 with WHO-defined low vision, comparing a treatment group (n=10) against a control group (n=12). Outcome measures included the BOT-2 Short Form, New York Posture Assessment Test, Lovett manual muscle testing, and BTS G-Walk gait analysis. The treatment group demonstrated statistically significant pre-post gains in total BOT-2 scores and several subscales (fine motor integration, bilateral coordination, running speed/agility, strength), with small-to-moderate effect sizes (Cohen's d ≈0.30-0.90).

Postural alignment improved in both groups but more so in the treatment group (d=0.74). Gait changes were limited to left step length and right pelvic propulsion in the treatment group only, with no significant change in other spatiotemporal parameters.

Manual muscle testing showed strength gains in both groups without significant between-group difference. The small sample size (n=22 total) constrains statistical power and generalisability, and within-group pre-post improvements should not be interpreted as definitive proof of intervention efficacy given the modest group sizes. No adverse events were reported in the abstract.

Larger trials with longer follow-up would help clarify the durability and clinical relevance of these findings.