Effects of a 12-week telehealth exercise intervention on gait speed and gait deviations in adults with Down syndrome.
T Hilgenkamp, R Lum, C Roys and 4 others
PMID 38481070WHAT IT FOUND
In 18 adults with Down syndrome, comfortable walking speed increased and observed gait deviations decreased after a 12-week telehealth exercise programme.
Without a control group, the programme alone may not explain the changes.
Key findings
01Comfortable walking speed was significantly faster after the exercise intervention.
02The total number of gait deviations in the whole gait cycle was significantly lower after the intervention.
03Gait deviations were significantly fewer at the hip, knee and ankle, and in single-limb support and swing-limb advancement, but not in weight acceptance.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTs
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What it does not show
The study had no control group, so the authors state that changes cannot be definitively attributed to the exercise programme. Only 18 participants completed both pre and post sessions, although 20 were recruited. The intervention combined several exercise components, so the contribution of any single component cannot be separated. Participants were aged 18 to 35 years and were sedentary or low-active, so results may not apply to older adults with Down syndrome or more active adults. Gait videos were made at home with different devices, internet connections, clothing, walking surfaces and background distractions, which reduced clarity and standardisation. Trunk and pelvic deviations were omitted because clothing varied, and toe deviations were omitted because shoes were worn. All videos were scored by one student researcher, and no second observer is described.
Declared interests
One author developed and provided the Mann Method PT exercise programme and is the founder of Mann Method PT and Fitness. The authors declare no other conflict of interest. The paper is listed as supported by N.I.H. extramural funding.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that the exercise programme alone caused the improvements. The study had no control group, and the programme combined foundational movements, hip strengthening, visual/vestibular activities and cardiovascular exercise, so the contribution of any single component cannot be separated.