Play therapy shows promise for kids with mild intellectual disability

NCT ID NCT06735482

Symptom relief Sponsor: Beni-Suef University Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tested whether a structured program of therapeutic play activities could improve motor adaptive behavior in 20 Egyptian children aged 5-9 with mild intellectual disability. The children took part in 24 play sessions over 2 months, focusing on core strength, coordination, and balance. Researchers measured changes using the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale before and after the program.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: therapeutic play program
What this could lead to: If successful, this could point toward a simple, non-drug way to help children with mild intellectual disability improve their motor skills and daily independence.
What could go wrong: This is a very small study (20 children) with no blinding or randomization, so results may not be reliable or apply to other groups. The intervention is behavioral, not a cure.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

Study facts

What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.

Phase

Not a phased trial

Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.

Participants

20 people

The number who actually took part.

Started

Dec 2024

Finished

Apr 2025

Lead sponsor

Other sponsor

The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.

Who can take part

This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.

Ages

5 to 9 years

Sex

Anyone

Healthy volunteers

Not accepted

This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.

Show the full entry requirements

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: The child should be between 5 and 9 years of age of both sexes \- The child should be of mild intellectual disabilities according to Stanford Binet scale 5th edition The child should not be suffering from any apparent physical deformity in upper limbs, lower limbs or spine The child should not suffer from any visual or auditory disorder Exclusion Criteria: Children out of age range Children with moderate or severe intellectual disabilities Children with physical deformities in upper limb, lower limb or spine Children suffering from visual or auditory disorders

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

follicular lymphoma intellectual disability learning disability Psychomotor Disorders

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Adaptive behavior Intellectual disability Intellectual disability, mild Motor and developmental delay Motor delay Physical disability

Play therapy shows promise for kids with mild intellectual disability

What the study statuses mean