Effects of a 12-week telehealth exercise intervention on gait speed and gait deviations in adults with Down syndrome
Corresponding Author
T. Hilgenkamp
Department of Physical Therapy, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV, USA
Correspondence: Dr Thessa Hilgenkamp, Department of Physical Therapy, Box 453029, 4505 S. Maryland Parkway, Las Vegas, NV 891254-3029, USA (e-mail: [email protected]).Search for more papers by this authorR. Lum
Department of Physical Therapy, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV, USA
Search for more papers by this authorC. Roys
Department of Physical Therapy, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV, USA
Search for more papers by this authorT. Souza
Department of Physical Therapy, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV, USA
Search for more papers by this authorD. Stopka
Department of Physical Therapy, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV, USA
Search for more papers by this authorK.-Y. Ho
Department of Physical Therapy, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV, USA
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
T. Hilgenkamp
Department of Physical Therapy, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV, USA
Correspondence: Dr Thessa Hilgenkamp, Department of Physical Therapy, Box 453029, 4505 S. Maryland Parkway, Las Vegas, NV 891254-3029, USA (e-mail: [email protected]).Search for more papers by this authorR. Lum
Department of Physical Therapy, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV, USA
Search for more papers by this authorC. Roys
Department of Physical Therapy, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV, USA
Search for more papers by this authorT. Souza
Department of Physical Therapy, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV, USA
Search for more papers by this authorD. Stopka
Department of Physical Therapy, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV, USA
Search for more papers by this authorK.-Y. Ho
Department of Physical Therapy, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV, USA
Search for more papers by this authorAbstract
Background
Altered gait patterns and reduced walking speed are commonly reported in adults with Down syndrome (DS). Research on the effects of DS-specific exercise programmes on adults with DS is lacking. The purpose of this quasi-experimental study was to evaluate the changes in gait deviations and walking speed in adults with DS after a DS-specific exercise programme.
Methods
Twenty participants underwent a 12-week, DS-specific exercise programme in a telehealth format. Before and after the intervention, gait deviations were assessed with the Ranchos Los Amigos Observational Gait Analysis form, and comfortable walking speed was evaluated with the 4-m walk test.
Results
We observed increased comfortable walking speed and reduced gait deviations in the whole gait cycle in adults with DS after the intervention. There were fewer gait deviations during single-leg stance and swing-limb advancement and at the hip, knee and ankle joints after the 12-week exercise programme.
Conclusions
Gait speed and observable gait impairments in adults with DS significantly improved following a 12-week telehealth exercise programme.
Conflict of Interest
None of the authors have any conflict of interest to disclose, except author S. M., who is the founder of Mann Method PT and Fitness.
Open Research
Data Availability Statement
Data are available upon request.
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