Effects of Bal-A-Vis-X on Motor Skills and Oral Reading Fluency in Elementary School Children: A Pilot Case Series

Motor proficiency is associated with academic achievement in elementary school–aged children. This pilot study examined the effects of Bal-A-Vis-X as a movement-based intervention for improving motor skills and oral reading fluency (ORF) in elementary school–aged children with delays in reading within a school-based setting. Bal-A-Vis-X consists of rhythmic, interlimb coordination exercises of increasing complexity designed to engage balance, bilateral coordination, midline crossing, focused attention, and visual tracking. A multiple-baseline design was used with three participants who received a structured Bal-A-Vis-X intervention. Motor outcomes were assessed using the Movement Assessment Battery for Children–Second Edition (MABC-2), and ORF was monitored as a participation-relevant academic outcome within a multi-tiered system of supports framework. Two of three participants demonstrated motor improvements exceeding previously reported minimal important difference values on the total MABC-2 test score. Improvements in oral reading fluency relative to baseline were observed for two participants and were maintained during follow-up. Overall, findings suggest that Bal-A-Vis-X represents a feasible, movement-based strategy that may support motor-related body functions and participation-relevant academic outcomes in elementary school children. Further research with larger samples is warranted.