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Exploring the Efficacy of a Dynamic Harness System on Gross Motor Development and Motivation for Infants With Down
Reham A Abuatiq1, Mia E Hoffman, Alyssa LaForme Fiss
1Department of Rehabilitation Medicine (Ms Abuatiq and Dr Feldner), University of Washington; Department of Mechanical Engineering (Ms Hoffman), University of Washington, Seattle, Washington State; School of Physical Therapy (Dr LaForme Fiss), Texas Woman's University, Dallas, Texas; Physical Therapy Department (Dr Looper), University of Puget Sound, Tacoma, Washington State.
Purpose:
To explore the benefits of a Partial Body Weight Support (PBWS) harness system within a play enriched environment on gross motor development and mastery motivation of infants with Down Syndrome (DS).
Methods:
A randomized crossover study with 17 pre-walking infants with DS in two conditions-play with or without the harness engaged-each for 3×/week over 3 weeks with a 1-week washout. Assessments took place at baseline, crossover, and completion.
Results:
Statistically and clinically significant changes were evident on the Gross Motor Function Measure-88; however, there were no significant changes in parent-reported mastery motivation.
Conclusion:
The combination of PBWS harness system support and high frequency-facilitated play within an enriched play environment positively affected gross motor development. The intervention did not impact mastery motivation skills, and the direct impact of the harness remains unclear.
