The Effect of Aquatic Exercise on Balance in Ambulatory Individuals With Down Syndrome: An Interventional Feasibility Study

Abstract

Background: People with Down syndrome (DS) often present with ligamentous laxity, coordination difficulties, and decreased strength, which can lead to impaired balance. These impairments may contribute to delayed development of age-appropriate motor skills and can contribute to increased risk of falls. Although aquatic exercises have been found to improve balance in various populations, the effectiveness of aquatic exercise to improve balance for individuals with DS has not been thoroughly studied. Methods: Five participants with DS were tested using the second edition of the Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS-2), while their parents completed the Activities-specific Balance Confidence (ABC) scale. They then participated in an aquatic exercise intervention twice per week for 6 weeks. Following the 6-week intervention, the participants were tested again using the PBS-2 and the ABC scale. Results: Parents' ABC scores increased for 3 of the 5 participants, and there was a statistically significant difference between pre– and post–aquatic intervention PBS-2 total test scores for the group (P < .05). Relevance: The results of this small feasibility study support the practicality of aquatic exercise to improve balance for children and young adults with DS. Further research using a larger sample size is recommended.