Vol. 2 No. 01 (2026): Journal of Sports Nursing, Medical, And Health (JSNMH)
Original Research Articles

The Effect of Brain Gym Implementation on the Learning Engagement of Children with Intellectual Disabilities at SLB Jati Wiyata Dharma, Tuban Regency

Yulia Rahayu Ningsih
Departement of Nursing, Institut Ilmu Kesehatan Nahdlatul Ulama TubanBarat, Indonesia

Published 2026-01-31

Keywords

  • brain gym,
  • Learning Compliance,
  • Mentally Disabled Children

How to Cite

Ningsih, Y. R. (2026). The Effect of Brain Gym Implementation on the Learning Engagement of Children with Intellectual Disabilities at SLB Jati Wiyata Dharma, Tuban Regency. Journal of Sports Nursing, Medical, And Health, 2(01), 52–63. https://doi.org/10.69606/sportnursmedhealth.v2i01.482

Abstract

Background: Children with intellectual disabilities experience limitations in intellectual functioning, attention, and memory, which significantly affect their ability to concentrate and comprehend learning materials. Aim:  to examine the effect of a brain gym intervention—a series of simple movements designed to optimize brain function, enhance oxygenation, and improve concentration—on students’ learning compliance. Methods: This research employed a quantitative pre-experimental design using a one-group pretest–posttest approach without a control group. The sample consisted of 19 students from SLB Jati Wiyata Dharma Tuban, selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected using a learning compliance questionnaire administered before and after the intervention and subsequently analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Results:  The results revealed a significance value of 0.0001, indicating that H1 was accepted. These findings demonstrate that brain gym therapy produced a significant change in the learning compliance of children with intellectual disabilities at SLB Jati Wiyata Dharma, Tuban Regency. The results suggest that brain gym is an effective means of fostering a calm and focused learning environment. Conclusion: Therefore, schools are recommended to implement brain gym exercises routinely as an innovative instructional method to enhance focus and discipline among students with special needs.

References

  1. Adenikheir, A. (2021). Koordinasi dan daya ingat anak tunagrahita ringan setelah pemberian brain gym. Maternal Child Health Care Journal, 3(3), 545. https://doi.org/10.32883/mchc.v3i3.1484
  2. Al Herbawi, D. (2018). The effectiveness of Brain Gym® Exercises on Improving Students’ Performance in classes of middle school boys in private schools in Dubai, UAE(Ethnographic Study Conducted at the American International School. Dubai, UAE). https://bspace.buid.ac.ae/handle/1234/1336
  3. Asolkar, S. (2025). Efficacy of Brain Gym Exercises for Improving Academic Performance in Mentally Retarded Children - An Experimental Study. 329–336. https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/25oct051
  4. Bhatia, R., & Kour, J. (2024). Enhancing Social Integration and Mental Health of Children With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) Through Educational Programs. Advances in Psychology, Mental Health, and Behavioral Studies (APMHBS) Book Series, 321–342. https://doi.org/10.4018/979-8-3693-3176-7.ch014
  5. Cappuccio, G., & Compagno, G. (2021). The habits of mind and the brain gym for enhancement of teachers’ communicative-teaching competence. 5(3). https://doi.org/10.32043/GSD.V5I3.421
  6. Dennison, P. E. (1992). Le mouvement, clé de l’apprentissage: Brain gym. http://www.samarcande-bibliotheques.be/notice.php?q=nodoc:6255638
  7. Dugassa, H., Khan, Z., Rodrigues, L., & Stock, K. (2025). Impact of Sight Loss on the Social-Emotional Development of Children and Associated Interventions. The Child, 4(1), 38–44. https://doi.org/10.15173/child.v4i1.3960
  8. Dwivedi, C. & Gautam, D. (2024). Empowering Education: Addressing Intellectual Disability through Tailored Interventions and Supportive Environments. International Journal for Multidisciplinary Research, 6(1); 1-7. https://www.ijfmr.com/papers/2024/1/13917.pdf
  9. Horvat, M., Croce, R., Pesce, C., & Fallaize, A. (2019). Intellectual disabilities. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203704035-10
  10. Hyatt, K. J. (2007). Brain Gym® Building Stronger Brains or Wishful Thinking? Remedial and Special Education, 28(2), 117–124. https://doi.org/10.1177/07419325070280020201
  11. Elshani, H., Dervishi, E., Ibrahimi, S., Nika, A., & Maloku Kuqi, M. (2020). Adaptive Behavior in Children with Intellectual Disabilities. Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences, 11(6), 33. https://doi.org/10.36941/MJSS-2020-0061
  12. Karcı, M., & Sırmen, B. (2025). The Impact of Brain Gym Exercises on Mind for The Children with Mild Level of Intellectual Disabilities. Journal of Innovative Healthcare Practices, 6(1), 11–18. https://doi.org/10.58770/joinihp.1588039
  13. Nastiti, H. D., Sulisawati, D. N., & Lutfiyah. (2023). Identifikasi Diskalkulia pada Anak Berkebutuhan Khusus Tunanetra dalam Mengenal Bilangan. Jurnal Pendidikan Matematika. https://doi.org/10.33474/jpm.v9i1.20282
  14. Memisevic, H., & Djordjevic, M. (2018). Visual-Motor Integration in Children With Mild Intellectual Disability: A Meta-Analysis. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 125(4), 696–717. https://doi.org/10.1177/0031512518774137
  15. Mardiansah, M., Ramadhan, R. A., & Suryani, R. (2024). Mengenal Anak Berkebutuhan Khusus dan Klasifikasinya. Ta’rim, 5(1), 164–170. https://doi.org/10.59059/tarim.v5i1.1013
  16. Prodyanatasari, A., & Prodyanatasari, A. (2025). Improving Student Focus by Implementing Brain Gym Exercises Before Lessons. 2(3), 121–133. https://doi.org/10.59110/edutrend.649
  17. Renganath, A. (2025). The effectiveness of brain gym in improving cognitive, physical and social skills in children with special needs in an inclusive school: a qualitative study. International Journal of Developmental Research, 69218–69226. https://doi.org/10.37118/ijdr.30028.10.2025
  18. Roosyanti, A., Nursalim, M., & Rahmasari, D. (2024). Mengoptimalkan Fungsi Kognitif Siswa Sekolah Dasar melalui Brain Games dan Brain Gym: Tinjauan Literatur. Jurnal Obsesi: Jurnal Pendidikan Anak Usia Dini, 8(6), 2039–2048. https://doi.org/10.31004/obsesi.v8i6.6631
  19. Sani Canchigña, M. C., Guanocunga Quishpe, B. E., González Herrera, M. B., & Catagña-Simbaña, J. P. (2025). Impacto de la gimnasia cerebral en la neuroplasticidad y la activación del aprendizaje en adolescentes. 4(2). https://doi.org/10.70577/asce/583.599/2025
  20. Saswita, S., Octavia, C., Hermandi, A. P., & Andriani, O. (2024). Penggolongan Anak Berkebutuhan Khusus Berdasarkan Mental Emosional Dan Akademik. https://doi.org/10.61132/morfologi.v2i1.295
  21. Salleh, N. M., Ali, M. M., & Zainal, K. (2018). Kemahiran Tingkah Laku Sosial Peringkat Asas dalam Kalangan Murid Berkeperluan Pendidikan Khas Ketidakupayaan Penglihatan (Basic Social Behavior Skills among Students with Visual Impairment). 43(1), 41–49. https://doi.org/10.17576/JPEN-2018-43.01-06
  22. Siswoariwibowo, A., Ishariani, L., & Milhati, M. (2025). Efektifitas Brain Gym Double Doodle And Cross Crow Terhadap Perkembangan Kognitif Anak Usia 4-5 Tahun. Jurnal Abdi Kesehatan Dan Kedokteran, 4(2), 152–163. https://doi.org/10.55018/jakk.v4i2.90
  23. Sipahelut, J. (2020). Terapi Okupasi Bagi Anak Tunagrahita. Tangkoleh Putai, 18(2): 179-206. https://doi.org/10.37196/tp.v18i2.79
  24. Soares, B. E. (2023). Intellectual disability (pp. 259–264). Elsevier eBooks. https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-323-91497-0.00214-9
  25. Tanjung, K. azan, Simatupang, N., Siregar, S., Sunarno, A., & Irfan, M. (2024). Senam Otak sebagai Upaya Peningkatan Memori Jangka Pendek Anak Penyandang Disabilitas Intelektual. Jurnal Ilmu Keolahragaan Undiksha, 12(2), 101–106. https://doi.org/10.23887/jiku.v12i2.79663
  26. Watson, A., & Kelso, G. L. (2014). The Effect of Brain Gym® on Academic Engagement for Children with Developmental Disabilities. International Journal of Special Education, 29(2), 75–83. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1029010.pdf