Effect of dance movement therapy on balance in adults with Down Syndrome. A pilot study

Paulina Aleksander-Szymanowicz; Katarzyna Filar-Mierzwa; Agnieszka Skiba

doi:10.1177/17446295231220429

Effect of dance movement therapy on balance in adults with Down Syndrome. A pilot study

J Intellect Disabil. 2023 Dec 5:17446295231220429. doi: 10.1177/17446295231220429. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Paulina Aleksander-Szymanowicz¹, Katarzyna Filar-Mierzwa¹, Agnieszka Skiba¹

Affiliation

¹ Faculty of Motor Rehabilitation, University of Physical Education, Krakow, Poland.

PMID: 38050952
DOI: 10.1177/17446295231220429

Abstract

Systematic participation in dance therapy may improve balance and reduce risk of falls. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of dance therapy on balance and risk of falls in adults with Down syndrome. Study participants comprised 23 persons with Down syndrome aged 26- 49 years who underwent dance therapy. Before and after the therapy, all participants were measured on a BioSway balance platform using three tests: postural stability, limits of stability, and M-CTSIB fall risk. Mean result was lower following intervention (2.40 ± 1.81 vs. 1.65 ± 1.32; p = .006) in the postural stability test. The limits of stability test found a statistically significant difference (26.30 ± 8.99 vs. 37.90 ± 12.54; p < .001). The results of this study only partially supported the hypothesis that dance therapy improves balancing skills in adults with Down Syndrome.

Keywords: Down syndrome; balance; dance movement therapy.