Physiotherapeutic stimulation in infants with Down syndrome to promote crawling

Abstract

Introduction: Down syndrome (DS) is a genetic disorder characterized mainly by ligament laxity and hypotonia. Infants with this syndrome have substantial motor retardation also with crawling. To reach this motor milestone, postural control and head and neck control in the prone position are necessary. Seeking to avoid atypical muscular synergies and facilitate the execution of functional activities, the Bobath Concept aims to stimulate weight transfers, promoting motor acquisitions in the prone, supine, sitting and standing positions. Objective: To evaluate and compare crawling before and after the intervention through the Bobath Concept method in infants with DS. Method: A longitudinal, prospective, evaluative and interventional study was carried out. The sample was composed of 4 infants with DS, aged 7 to 24 months. There were three stages of treatment: evaluation in accordance with the Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS); short term intervention by the Bobath Concept; and re-evaluation using the same scale. Results: According to statistical analysis, there was no significant difference between pre- and post-treatment (t -3.1705, p=0.0504). However, the results obtained by evaluation and reevaluation, showed progress in infants’ activity, the greatest progress being in the prone position. Infant 4 had the most satisfactory result, in percentage, as much as in the prone position (evolving 9.5%), as in general (evolving 22.4%). Conclusion: Infants submitted to intervention with the Bobath Concept obtained evolution in motor development, when comparing before and after therapy.

Perfil clínico de indivíduos em situação de Síndrome de Down em APAES de cidades do Sul de Minas Gerais

“…O acompanhamento fisioterapêutico é fundamental desde o nascimento, dos 16 indivíduos da amostragem que apresentam alterações musculoesqueléticas, sete faziam acompanhamento desta terapia. O benefício de terapias que estimulam o desenvolvimento motor e o controle postural tem resultados significativos quanto ao controle cervical, ortostático e deambulatório (Santos et al, 2020).…”

A influência do estímulo precoce para aquisição dos marcos do desenvolvimento motor em crianças com Síndrome de Down

“…Estudos mostram que bebês com SD apresentam atraso motor significativo em todas as posturas, quando comparados com os indivíduos típicos (SANTOS et al, 2020). Coppede et al, (2012) afirmam que as limitações típicas como a hipotonia muscular e a hipermobilidade articular contribuem para o atraso, para o déficit de equilíbrio postural e para a diminuição dos movimentos voluntários, afetando diretamente a independência da criança e a exploração do ambiente.…”