NCT06748248

Suspension Therapy Effects on Mobility and Balance in Down Syndrome

Effects of Suspension Therapy on Mobility and Balance in Children With Down Syndrome

• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 26 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Riphah International University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 3 Years – 6 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

Down syndrome (DS) is one of the most common congenital disorders. Individuals with Down syndrome present with several impairments such as hypotonia, ligament laxity, decreased muscle strength, insufficient muscular co-contraction, inadequate postural control, and disturbed proprioception. These factors are responsible for the developmental challenges faced by children with Down syndrome. These individuals also present with balance dysfunctions. Neuromuscular and musculoskeletal impairments due to the chromosomal abnormality lead to developmental delay. These children also exhibit poor balance with greater instability and inefficient compensatory mechanisms including altered center of pressure displacement and trunk stiffening that predisposes them to falls. The aim of this study is to determine the Effects of Suspension Therapy (ST) on mobility and balance of children with Down syndrome. Suspension Therapy using Universal exercise Unit (UEU) is a three dimensional (3D) cage, consists of system of pulleys, suspensions, belts for supporting and elastic cords. Suspension Therapy is based on the concept of unloading the body against gravity and to perform movement of weak part of body.

Detailed description

The current study will be Randomized Controlled Trial. Inclusion criteria for the study will be children with Down syndrome (DS) of mild to moderate mental retardation aged between 3 and 6 years. Patients with any cardiac issue and orthopedic limitation to exercise such as hip, knee, foot or spinal deformities will be excluded from the study. A sample of 26 children with DS will be selected from both genders. Tools used for data collection will be Pediatric Balance scale (PBS), Four square step test (FSST), Timed up and Go test (TUG) and 1Minute Walk Test (1MWT). Participants will be measured before and after treatment to assess changes. Interventions are carried out 5 days in a week for one hour daily. In this study descriptive statistical tools will used to analyze the data. Data will be analyzed through SPSS version 23.00.

Conditions

• Down Syndrome (DS)

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	suspension Therapy	suspension therapy for individuals with Down syndrome is an approach that focuses on improving mobility and balance through different activities that will be conducted through universal exercise unit. This method involves organizing individuals with Down syndrome into two groups. Group A will perform Suspension Therapy in addition to routine physical therapy. These routine exercises will consist of stretching exercises (arm raises, chest stretch, leg swings, hamstring stretch, cat-cow poses, starfish stretch), strength and endurance training (like stepping, carrying light weights) and balance training (playing hopscotch and kicking a ball). The exercise program will gradually increase in intensity in accordance with each participant's functional improvement. Suspension Therapy will consist of passive and active postural auto-correction exercises done repeatedly and based on kinesthetic and sensorimotor principles. Repeated corrective movements will be performed.
OTHER	Routine Treatment	Group B will perform routine physical therapy (RPT) alone. These routine exercises will consist of stretching exercises (particularly upper and lower body stretches and full body stretches). Stretches will be gentle and avoid bouncing. Hold for each stretch will be 15-30 seconds. Balance and coordination exercises (Walking on balance beams, obstacle courses) will be performed as RPT. The exercise program will gradually increase in intensity in accordance with each participant's functional improvement. These exercises will be carried out 5 days in a week for one hour daily. Data will be assessed by assessor at baseline and at the end of 5th session of treatment (Pre and post).

Timeline

• Start date: 2024-09-24
• Primary completion: 2025-01-10
• Completion: 2025-01-15
• First posted: 2024-12-27
• Last updated: 2024-12-27

Locations

2 sites across 1 country: Pakistan