The effect of a balance training program under dual-task conditions on working memory of children with developmental coordination disability

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a selected balance training program under dual and single-task conditions on working memory of children with developmental coordination disorder. The research method was semi-experimental and a pre-test-post-test- follow-up design with a control group. In this study, 39 boys with DCD were selected by the available sampling method and randomly assigned to three groups: Dual-task training (n=13), single-task training (n=13), and control (n=13). The two experimental groups performed a selected training program with two different conditions for 8 weeks. All subjects were evaluated in three stages of pre-test, post-test and follow-up test (two months after post-test) by the Corsi block-tapping test (working memory test). Data analysis using ANOVA with the repeated measure as well as one-way ANCOVA showed that in the post-test, working memory in dual-task group was superior to both single and control groups (P <0.05). Also, a significant difference was observed from pre-test to post-test in all experimental groups except the single task group in the extended block index and the control group. In the follow-up test, this superior was maintained only in the overall score index and the overall effort. Also, the single-task group was superior to the control group in the post-test (P <0.05). Due to the importance of executive function, using this selected exercise program to improve working memory can be a useful tool and is suggested for this group of children.