EFFECT OF PERTURBATION BASED TRAINING AND TREADMILL TRAINING ON GAIT AND BALANCE AMONG ATTENTION DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER: A PILOT STUDY

Abstract

Background: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition associated with difficulties in attention, coordination, gait, and balance. These motor deficits may affect children’s daily activities and participation, while conventional management primarily focuses on cognitive and behavioral symptoms. Perturbation Based Training (PBT) and Treadmill Training (TT) may help improve gait and balance in children with ADHD. Aim: To compare the effects of Perturbation-Based Training and Treadmill Training on gait and balance in children with ADHD. Methodology: An experimental pre-test and post-test comparative study was conducted in the Paediatric Physiotherapy Rehabilitation Unit, Faculty of Physiotherapy, ACS Medical College and Hospital, over a period of six months. Twelve children aged 9–15 years diagnosed with ADHD according to DSM-5 criteria, with proprioceptive and vestibular deficits and mild-to-moderate gait and balance impairments, were included. Participants were randomly divided into two groups: Group A received PBT, while Group B received TT. Both groups received 45-minute treatment sessions and continued their activities of daily living. Balance Assessor and Euleria Riablo were used to assess balance and gait parameters. Results: Group A demonstrated greater improvement in proprioception (1.7±0.76 to 5.1±0.90) and vestibular scores (13.1±2.19 to 20.4±2.23) compared with Group B, which improved from 1.7±0.76 to 2.9±0.90 and 13.4±2.30 to 15.9±2.12, respectively. Significant between-group differences were observed in gait and balance outcomes (p<0.05), with Group A showing superior improvement. Conclusion: Perturbation-Based Training was more effective than Treadmill Training in improving gait, balance, proprioception, and vestibular function in children with ADHD.