Abstract
Children with thalassemia often suffer from complications such as muscle weakness, bone fragility, fatigue and reduced physical endurance. As strengthening exercises have the potential to enhance physical function, increase independence, and improve overall quality of life for thalassemic child and Closed Kinetic Chain (CKC) exercises are proven to be beneficial due to their ability to engage multiple muscle groups simultaneously, leading to improved muscle strength and balance. Therefore the aim of the study was to determine the effect of closed kinetic chain exercises via telerehabilitation on muscle strength, balance, fatigue, and haemoglobin levels in Beta Thalassemia Major children This study involved 32 children aged 8-15 years with Beta thalassemia major, divided into experimental group (n = 16) receiving CKC exercises via telerehabilitation for 30-40-minutes, twice a week for 8 weeks, the control group (n = 16) receiving education on importance of being physically activity. Outcome measures were assessed at baseline, 4th week and 8th week which included balance using Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency (BOT-2); muscle strength, measured via hand-held dynamometer; fatigue levels by (PQL-MFS); and haemoglobin levels via the spectrophotometric method The experimental group showed significant improvements in balance (p < 0.001), muscle strength (p < 0.001), and fatigue reduction (p < 0.005), but no significant changes were observed on haemoglobin levels. An 8-week CKC exercise program delivered via telerehabilitation significantly enhanced balance, muscle strength, and reduced fatigue in children with Beta Thalassemia Major, though it did not affect haemoglobin levels.