Music therapy combined with psychomotor circuit training versus game therapy in the physiotherapeutic treatment of children with Down syndrome
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.11606/issn.2317-0190.v33e243981Keywords:
Trisomy 21, Music Therapy, Video Games, Postural Balance, Motor SkillsAbstract
Down syndrome (DS) is characterized by neuromuscular alterations that require playful and multisensory therapeutic interventions. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of music therapy associated with a psychomotor circuit, compared with gametherapy, on balance, body schema, and motor coordination in children with DS. Method: Twelve children with DS, aged 6 to 12 years, assisted at APAE Belém–PA, participated in the study and were allocated into two groups (n= 6): Music Therapy + Psychomotor Circuit (GMCp) and Gametherapy (GG). The interventions consisted of 12 sessions of 40 minutes, twice a week. Balance was assessed using the Pediatric Berg Balance Scale, and body schema and motor coordination were evaluated using the Rosa Neto Motor Development Scale at baseline and during the intervention period. The Shapiro–Wilk test was applied to assess normality, the Friedman test with Dunn’s post hoc test was used for intragroup analysis, and the Mann–Whitney test was used for intergroup comparisons, adopting a significance level of p ≤ 0.05. Results: Significant improvements were observed over the evaluated periods in both groups for balance scores (p ranging from 0.020 to 0.048) and body schema (p < 0.0001). Motor coordination showed significant improvement during the intermediate periods (p ≈ 0.039), with no significant difference between pre- and post-intervention assessments (p = 0.126). No significant differences were found between groups (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Both interventions promoted improvements in balance, body schema, and motor coordination, presenting distinct patterns of progression but similar final outcomes.
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