Effects of Powerball on Grip Strength in Children With Developmental Delay
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.61919/3t3n5r27Keywords:
Developmental Delay; Dynamometer; Grip Strength; Hand Function; Powerball; Rehabilitation.Abstract
Background: Developmental delay may impair fine motor control, grip strength, and manual ability, limiting children’s independence in daily and school-related activities. Conventional hand-strengthening exercises are commonly used in rehabilitation, while Powerball training may provide an engaging resisted wrist and hand activity through gyroscopic motion. Objective: To determine the effects of Powerball exercises combined with conventional physical therapy on grip strength and manual functional ability in children with developmental delay. Methods: This randomized controlled trial was conducted over six months at DHQ Hospital, Layyah, and Rising Sun Institute for Special Children, Lahore. Children aged 7-12 years with moderate developmental delay and affected fine motor skills were allocated to a control group receiving conventional hand-strengthening exercises or an experimental group receiving Powerball exercises in addition to conventional therapy. Both groups completed 12 sessions over one month. Grip strength was assessed using a hand-held dynamometer, and manual ability was assessed using ABILHAND-Kids. Results: Twenty-six children completed the study, with 13 participants in each group. Hand-held dynamometer scores increased slightly in both groups but showed no statistically significant within-group or between-group differences. ABILHAND-Kids scores improved significantly within the control group and experimental group, but the post-treatment between-group difference was not statistically significant. Conclusion: Both interventions were associated with improved manual ability over time, but the available data do not confirm statistically significant superiority of Powerball over conventional therapy. Larger adequately powered trials are required.
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