The conductive environment enhances gross motor function of girls with Rett syndrome. A pilot study
tone and motor problems; Rett syndrome; physical intervention; daily training program; treadmill
INTRODUCTION: Rett syndrome (RTT) is a neurological disorder usually associated with a mutation in the MECP2 gene. Conductive Education (CE) is an educational approach that has not yet been explored with regard to children with RTT. OBJECTIVE: Assessing functional abilities of individuals with RTT due to CE intervention. DESIGN: A single subject, AB design. method: This study assessed the functional skills of three girls with RTT aged 3-5 years before and during participation in a CE programme. RESULTS: Gross motor function improvements were observed at the end of the intervention period. Gross motor skills declined slightly in all participants over the summer holidays but improved again a few months after recommencement of the educational year. CONCLUSION: Replication of this study with more subjects is justified as is comparison with other educational methods. A home intervention programme should be constructed to prevent decline of skills over the summer vacation.
Lotan M; Schenker R; Wine J; Downs J
Developmental Neurorehabilitation
2012
Article information provided for research and reference use only. PedPalASCNET does not hold any rights over the resource listed here. All rights are retained by the journal listed under publisher and/or the creator(s).
<a href="http://doi.org/10.3109/17518423.2011.629374" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">10.3109/17518423.2011.629374</a>
Improving functional skills and physical fitness in children with Rett syndrome
Treatment Outcome; Child; Humans; Female; Motor Skills; Statistics as Topic; Feasibility Studies; Social Behavior; Physical Fitness; Activities of Daily Living/psychology; Education of Intellectually Disabled; Exercise/psychology; Rett Syndrome/psychology/rehabilitation; tone and motor problems; Rett syndrome; psychological intervention; daily conductive educational program
BACKGROUND: To investigate the feasibility of a physical exercise programme with treadmill for persons with Rett syndrome (RS) in order to promote fitness and health. METHODS: A daily training programme on a treadmill was designed for four females with RS over a period of 2 months with tests performed in three intervals, at time 1, 2 and 3, 2 months apart with intervention taking place between tests 2 and 3. Participants were four girls with RS aged 8.5-11 years (mean: 10 years) attending the educational facility Beit Issie Shapiro, Raanana, Israel, all with independent mobility and with typical characteristics of RS stage III. The training took place at the educational facility, on a 1400 model treadmill (Trimline, capable of very low speeds < 0.5 k/h), with very long side rails. Special low side rails were adapted to the treadmill in order to fit the height of the children and velcro straps were added to assist in safely placing the hands. Pulse was monitored constantly during exercise by an A3 polar pulse belt. Pulse measurements at rest during training were considered as evaluators of aerobic physical condition. Functional measurement was based on a scale specially established for the present study. The scale was a 31-item motor-functioning tool that measures the ability of participants to knee walk and knee stand, to get up to a standing position, duration of walking different paths, and to go up and down stairs and slopes. RESULTS: The study showed that physical fitness of the children at the end of the training programme had improved considerably (P < 0.05). Tests showed that general functional abilities had improved considerably (P < 0.0001). Although all items of the functional ability measure showed impressive positive change, some of the 31 items on it showed statistically significant improvement (knee walking, going up and down stairs and speed of walking for 25 m. Pearson correlation showed high linkage (r = -0.76) between functional improvement and change in physical fitness. CONCLUSIONS: Physical fitness programme executed on a daily basis is capable of improving functional ability of children with RS. Nonprofessional personnel can execute such a programme under supervision of a qualified physical therapist.
Lotan M; Isakov E; Merrick J
Journal of Intellectual Disability Research
2004
Article information provided for research and reference use only. PedPalASCNET does not hold any rights over the resource listed here. All rights are retained by the journal listed under publisher and/or the creator(s).
<a href="http://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2788.2003.00589.x" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">10.1111/j.1365-2788.2003.00589.x</a>