Effects of virtual reality therapy on postural control of Down syndrome children

• Autor(a) principal: Silva, Lorena Fuchs
• Data de Publicação: 2021
• Outros Autores: Lage, Janaine Brandão, Souza, Luciane Aparecida Pascucci Sande de, Rosa, Rodrigo César, Cardoso, Fabrizio Antônio Gomide, Espindula, Ana Paula
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: por
• Título da fonte: Research, Society and Development
• Texto Completo: https://rsdjournal.org/index.php/rsd/article/view/15966
• topic: Síndrome de Down; Realidade Virtual; Equilíbrio Postura; Eletromiografia.; Down Syndrome; Virtual reality; Postural balance; Electromyography.; Síndrome de Down; Realidad Virtual; Equilibrio Postural; Actividad Motora; Electromiografia.

Down syndrome has biomechanical and structural changes that result in a deficit in muscle activation and, consequently, in balance. In view of this, Virtual Reality emerges as a therapeutic tool, in which users are presented with opportunities to be involved in virtual environments, which adds a motivational and playful factor to rehabilitation. Objective: To verify the effects of Virtual Reality therapy on the balance and muscle activity of lower limbs of children with Down Syndrome. Methods: The sample consisted of individuals with Down Syndrome with a mean age of 10.8 ± 3.4 years, who underwent motor assessments before and after interventions in Virtual Reality therapy using the Nintendo Wii. Results: Medial and lateral displacement (p = 0.016), anteroposterior displacement (p = 0.056) and muscle activity of the anterior tibial muscle (p = 0.001) had significant improvement after therapy. Conclusion: The proposed therapy is efficient and is indicated for improving the balance and muscle activity of lower limbs of children with Down Syndrome.