Exercise may improve motor test scores in children with hearing loss
A trial review found better coordination and balance scores, but low confidence in the evidence limits what can be concluded.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
Exercise was associated with better motor coordination and balance test scores in children with sensorineural hearing loss. However, the review rated these results as low or very low certainty. The apparent improvements therefore remain uncertain, and the abstract does not establish how much they changed everyday movement or hand function.
The authors reported inconsistencies, study limitations and bias. Low or very low certainty means the estimated benefits may not be reliable; the abstract does not give a separate numerical result for manual dexterity.
What researchers found
General motor coefficient score
Körperkoordinationstest für Kinder test, exercise versus no exercise after 18 weeks; low-certainty evidence.
A test-score difference
The central motor result concerns a named coordination test. It is a difference in test-score improvement between groups, rather than a percentage improvement in children's overall ability to move.
Balance was assessed separately
A separate analysis also favored exercise on a balance subtest, but its evidence had very low certainty. Motor coordination, balance and manual dexterity are distinct outcomes, so they should not be treated as interchangeable.
The original publication
Effectiveness of exercise interventions to improve motor coordination and manual dexterity of deaf children: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Melo RS, de Oliveira IS, Oliveira CA et al.
Braz J Phys Ther · 2026
- PubMed ID
- 41273906
- Record checked
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