Neuromuscular Excercise in Children with Down Syndrome. A Systematic Review

Objective: to evaluate the effects of neuromuscular exercise, specifying the parameters and characteristics of effective interventions to improve balance, muscle strength and flexibility in children with DS between the ages of 4 and 18 years. Data Sources: A search was carried out on PubMed, PEDro, EMBASE, SCIELO, Lilacs, Cochrane library. Study Selection: The search yielded 1384 eligible articles. Randomized clinical trials were selected, and that would have reported the effectiveness in the outcomes. Data Extraction: The methodology and results of the studies were critically appraised in compliance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyzes guidelines. Data Synthesis: Ten studies were included. The interventions included mechanotherapy, vibration, and use of different unstable surfaces. The exercise frequency ranged from three days to five days a week, and the duration of each session was between six and 15 minutes. The frequency was between two and three times a week for 6 and 12 weeks and the intensity was between 60% and 80% of maximum resistance (MR). Conclusion neuromuscular exercise appears to be effective for the improvement of both lower limb and chest muscle strength and balance in children over 8 years of age.