Mobility in preschool age children with and without Down syndrome: an exploratory cross-sectional study

Abstract

ABSTRACT | Few studies have investigated the mobility of preschool age children with Down syndrome (DS). This study aimed to compare the mobility of preschool age children with and without DS and to verify if cognitive function and gait acquisition age may explain mobility outcomes. This was an exploratory cross-sectional study involving 38 children: 19 in the DS group and 19 in the typical development (TD) group. The 10-meter walk test and the modified Timed Up and Go (mTUG) test were used to evaluate mobility. The explanatory factors were the cognitive function screening test score and the age of gait acquisition. Stepwise multiple linear regression models were used. The children in the DS group had slower gait speed (p=0.0001) and took longer to complete the mTUG test (p=0.0001). The cognitive function screening test score and age of gait acquisition explained the variability in gait speed (R 2 =0.52; p=0.0001) and the variability in the time to complete the mTUG test (R 2 =0.68; p=0.0001). Children with DS showed a poorer mobility when compared to the children in the TD group. The outcomes of mobility in this age group were partially explained by the age of gait acquisition and the cognitive function screening test score.