[OES-2-4] The influence of the stability ball sitting during learning activities: A review of the literature
Introduction: Learning engagement in classroom learning activities is influenced by a person's capacity. However, some people find it challenging to sit for prolonged periods. According to the sensory integration theory (SI), postural stability is closely related to prolonged sitting ability. The integration of the senses of the primary sensory systems (vestibular, proprioceptive, and tactile) are the source of the ability to maintain posture against gravity. In order to enable people to sit for long periods, the SI concept recommends using stability ball sitting as a tool. Experimental studies have been carried out with various individuals from children to adults. This study aimed to discover the influence of stability ball on people’s learning engagement through the existing literature.
Methods: PubMed, Web of Sciences, MEDLINE, and EBSCOhost were searched for this study. It searched on 16 - 23 January 2023 used ("stability ball" OR "therapy ball") AND ("sitting" OR "seating") AND ("behavior(s)" OR "attention" OR "engagement") AND ("learning" OR "learning activities") as keywords. The inclusion criteria were an experimental study measuring the learning engagement of people aged 3 – 30, published in 1990 – 2022, and written in English. There is no conflict of interest.
Results: The records identified were 587. After screening the articles to meet the eligibility criteria, 14 studies were selected. Most studies found that stability balls have a positive influence. These studies found that sitting on a stability ball enhanced their attention, decreased hyperactivity levels, improved in-seat and on-task behavior, reduced anxious or depressive symptoms, and reduced low back pain. Meanwhile, other studies reported that stability ball sitting had no influences. From these studies, stability balls were difficult to handle, and the subjects were less likely to be focused.
Discussion: This literature review found that the stability ball has many positive influences. In some studies, stability balls has positive influences on reducing mental health problems and low back pain because sitting on a stability ball enables people to sit and move simultaneously, and the unstable surface helps to engage the abdominal and back muscles. However, some researches disagreed with the efficacy of sitting on a stability ball and prefer other methods, like using medication instead using the stability ball. Further studies which investigate the influences of stability ball sitting and the reason behind it in more detail are still needed to increase the reliability of this strategy.
Methods: PubMed, Web of Sciences, MEDLINE, and EBSCOhost were searched for this study. It searched on 16 - 23 January 2023 used ("stability ball" OR "therapy ball") AND ("sitting" OR "seating") AND ("behavior(s)" OR "attention" OR "engagement") AND ("learning" OR "learning activities") as keywords. The inclusion criteria were an experimental study measuring the learning engagement of people aged 3 – 30, published in 1990 – 2022, and written in English. There is no conflict of interest.
Results: The records identified were 587. After screening the articles to meet the eligibility criteria, 14 studies were selected. Most studies found that stability balls have a positive influence. These studies found that sitting on a stability ball enhanced their attention, decreased hyperactivity levels, improved in-seat and on-task behavior, reduced anxious or depressive symptoms, and reduced low back pain. Meanwhile, other studies reported that stability ball sitting had no influences. From these studies, stability balls were difficult to handle, and the subjects were less likely to be focused.
Discussion: This literature review found that the stability ball has many positive influences. In some studies, stability balls has positive influences on reducing mental health problems and low back pain because sitting on a stability ball enables people to sit and move simultaneously, and the unstable surface helps to engage the abdominal and back muscles. However, some researches disagreed with the efficacy of sitting on a stability ball and prefer other methods, like using medication instead using the stability ball. Further studies which investigate the influences of stability ball sitting and the reason behind it in more detail are still needed to increase the reliability of this strategy.