In-Home Mobility Training With a Portable Body Weight Support System of an Infant With Down Syndrome
Elena Kokkoni1, Tracy Stoner, James C Galloway
1Department of Bioengineering (Dr Kokkoni), University of California, Riverside, Riverside, California; Biomechanics and Movement Science Program (Dr Galloway) and Department of Physical Therapy (Drs Stoner and Galloway), University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware.
Insights
A portable body weight support system (PBWSS) is feasible for home-based infant mobility training. Frequent use enhanced an infant with Down syndrome
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Developmental Neuroscience
- Rehabilitation Medicine
Background:
- Down syndrome presents developmental challenges, impacting motor skills and mobility.
- Early intervention is crucial for optimizing developmental outcomes in infants with Down syndrome.
- Overground mobility training is essential for functional independence.
Observation:
- A family utilized an open-area, portable body weight support system (PBWSS) for home-based training.
- The PBWSS was used an average of 4 days/week for approximately 28 minutes/day.
- Infant mobility in an open area increased with PBWSS assistance during sessions.
Findings:
- The infant demonstrated increased mobility with PBWSS use.
- Variable trends were observed in the infant's motor, language, and cognitive development.
- Long-term, frequent PBWSS use provided opportunities for practicing emerging motor skills and exploratory actions.
Implications:
- High-dose, body weight-supported training in natural environments is feasible for infants.
- PBWSS use may positively influence mobility and overall development in infants with Down syndrome.
- Further research with larger sample sizes is needed to quantify the effects of PBWSS training.
Purpose:
To report on the feasibility of an open-area, portable body weight support system (PBWSS) for in-home use and overground mobility training in an infant with Down syndrome.
Summary Of Key Points:
The family used the PBWSS on average 4 days/week and for a mean duration of 27.9 minutes/day. Within sessions, the infant's mobility in the open area was greater with PBWSS assistance. The infant's mobility increased whereas variable trends were noted in the infant's motor, language, and cognitive development.
Conclusions:
The long-term and frequent use of the PBWSS by this family provided opportunities to practice on emerging motor skills and exploratory actions that may have had a positive effect on her mobility and overall development.
Recommendation For Clinical Practice:
High-dose, body weight-supported training on emerging motor skills is feasible in the infants' natural environments. Future studies using a large sample will quantify the effects.
