Efficacy of Brain Gym Exercises for Improving Academic Performance in Mentally Retarded Children - An Experimental Study


Authors : Shaikh Insha Javed; Dr. Sonali Asolkar

Volume/Issue : Volume 10 - 2025, Issue 10 - October


Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/3s9dnsut

Scribd : https://tinyurl.com/yc6yr27e

DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/25oct051

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Abstract : Introduction: The purpose of this study is to determine if brain gym exercises may improve academic achievement in kids with mild to severe intellectual disabilities (ID). In order to evaluate its effect on cognitive processes including memory, attention, and processing speed, a structured intervention was used. Evidence-based support for integrating brain gym activities into educational and therapeutic programs is the goal of the studies.  Methods: At EKTA VOCATTIONAL TRAINING CENTER, an experimental investigation was carried out on a sample of 30 children with mild to moderate ID, ages [6-16]. Brain gym activities were administered to participants three times a week for 20-30 minutes each throughout a 12-week intervention. Academic performance was assessed using the Academic Performance Scale both before and after the intervention. Descriptive and inferential statistics, such as paired t-tests, were used for statistical analysis  Results: Academic performance was significantly improved by the intervention group, as evidenced by mean post-intervention scores and qualitative advancements in the processing speed, memory, and attention domains. Advances in standardized evaluation metrics were linked to the use of brain gym activities, indicating a noteworthy improvement in participants targeted cognitive and academic abilities. The analysis shows a statistically significant improvement in ASP scores after the intervention, with the mean ASP-POST score (32.1) much higher than the mean ASP-PRE score (17.07). A paired t-test confirms this difference is highly significant (p<0.01p<0.01), with a t-value of 25.15 and a mean difference of 15.03 between scores. The average age of participants was 9.5 years, with a standard deviation of 2.35. Gender distribution was 56.7% females and 43.3% males. The results indicate the intervention was effective in increasing ASP values among the study group. This substantial improvement provides strong evidence that the implemented intervention caused a meaningful positive change in ASP outcomes.  Conclusion: In children with mild to moderate ID, brain gym activities can greatly improve academic performance. They provide a straightforward, affordable, and adaptable intervention that can be used in school and community settings with limited resources. It is advised that more controlled research be done to confirm these results and encourage wider use in educational and therapeutic plans.

Keywords : Brain Gym Exercises, Intellectual Disability (ID), Academic Performance (AP), Cognitive Development (CD), Memory (M), Attention (A), Processing Speed (PS).

References :

  1. Radenovic D. The advisory role of pedagogues in inclusive education of students with developmental disabilities. Asian J Educ Soc Stud. 2025;51(8):951-60. doi: 10.9734/ajess/2025/v51i82292.journalajess.
  2. Cruickshank WM. The challenge of the exceptional child. 3rd ed. Boston: Houghton Mifflin; 1974.
  3. Salvador-Carulla L, Reed GM, Vaez-Azizi LM, Cooper SA, Martinez-Leal R, Bertelli M, et al. Intellectual developmental disorders: towards a new name, definition and framework for ‘mental retardation/intellectual disability’ in ICD-11. World Psychiatry. 2011;10(3):175-80. doi:10.1002/j.2051-5545. 2011.tb00045. x.
  4. American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders. 5th ed. Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing; 2013.
  5. Choudhary A, Kaur R, Tiwari S, et al. Prevalence of intellectual disability in India: a meta-analysis. Indian J Psychol Med. 2022;44(2):115-24. doi: 10.4103/IJPSYM.IJPSYM_123_21.pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih
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  7. Moradi A, Dehghani M, Taghizadeh S, et al. Influence of Brain Gym on children's behavioral problems with autism spectrum disorder: a randomized controlled trial. J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2024; 29:487-95. doi: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2024.07.048.
  8. Padmanabhan S, Raghavan S, Unnikrishnan S. Effectiveness of Brain Gym activities in improving motor performance skills among children with autism spectrum disorder. Int J Multidiscip Res Rev. 2023;9(4):10-8.
  9. Renda Natalina Pratama, Citra Purwanti, Rosmiarti, et al. The impact of Brain Gym exercises on the cognitive abilities of children at TK ABA 17 Palembang, Indonesia. 2023.
  10. Peng p, kievit ra. The development of academic achievement and cognitive abilities: a bidirectional perspective. Child dev perspect [internet]. 2020;14(1):15–20. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/cdep.12352.
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Introduction: The purpose of this study is to determine if brain gym exercises may improve academic achievement in kids with mild to severe intellectual disabilities (ID). In order to evaluate its effect on cognitive processes including memory, attention, and processing speed, a structured intervention was used. Evidence-based support for integrating brain gym activities into educational and therapeutic programs is the goal of the studies.  Methods: At EKTA VOCATTIONAL TRAINING CENTER, an experimental investigation was carried out on a sample of 30 children with mild to moderate ID, ages [6-16]. Brain gym activities were administered to participants three times a week for 20-30 minutes each throughout a 12-week intervention. Academic performance was assessed using the Academic Performance Scale both before and after the intervention. Descriptive and inferential statistics, such as paired t-tests, were used for statistical analysis  Results: Academic performance was significantly improved by the intervention group, as evidenced by mean post-intervention scores and qualitative advancements in the processing speed, memory, and attention domains. Advances in standardized evaluation metrics were linked to the use of brain gym activities, indicating a noteworthy improvement in participants targeted cognitive and academic abilities. The analysis shows a statistically significant improvement in ASP scores after the intervention, with the mean ASP-POST score (32.1) much higher than the mean ASP-PRE score (17.07). A paired t-test confirms this difference is highly significant (p<0.01p<0.01), with a t-value of 25.15 and a mean difference of 15.03 between scores. The average age of participants was 9.5 years, with a standard deviation of 2.35. Gender distribution was 56.7% females and 43.3% males. The results indicate the intervention was effective in increasing ASP values among the study group. This substantial improvement provides strong evidence that the implemented intervention caused a meaningful positive change in ASP outcomes.  Conclusion: In children with mild to moderate ID, brain gym activities can greatly improve academic performance. They provide a straightforward, affordable, and adaptable intervention that can be used in school and community settings with limited resources. It is advised that more controlled research be done to confirm these results and encourage wider use in educational and therapeutic plans.

Keywords : Brain Gym Exercises, Intellectual Disability (ID), Academic Performance (AP), Cognitive Development (CD), Memory (M), Attention (A), Processing Speed (PS).

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Paper Submission Last Date
31 - December - 2025

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