Swiss Ball Versus Frenkel Exercises Effects in Down Syndrome

Down syndrome (or trisomy 21) is the most common genetic cause of intellectual disability, occurring in an estimated 1 in 800 births worldwide. Approximately 11,000 people with Down syndrome live in Australia and 250,000 in the USA. Individuals with Down syndrome present with several impairments such as hypotonia, ligament laxity, decreased muscle strength, insufficient muscular co-contraction, inadequate postural control, and disturbed proprioception. Frenkel exercises are a series of motions of increasing difficulty performed by patients to facilitate the restoration of balance and coordination. Frenkel exercises are used to bring back the rhythmic, smooth and movements. In recent years, Swiss Ball has been widely used as a new method of treatment to increase balance, strengthen core region of body muscles, and strengthen muscles that are effective in maintaining posture, coordination, and flexibility. The aim of this recent study is to compare the effects of two different therapeutic techniques i.e Frenkel versus Swiss ball exercises on static and dynamic balance in children with Down syndrome.

The current study will be randomized clinical trial, data will be collected from Children Hospital and Institute of Child Health, Lahore. The study will include 32 patients equally divided into two groups and randomly allocated. Inclusion criteria for the study will include patients diagnosed with Down syndrome, age between 8 to 13 years, patient able to understand instructions necessary for intervention, independent standing and walking abilities. Patient with any heart deficit, visual or hearing disorder, mobility impairment and instability of atlanto occipital joint will be excluded. Sample will be divided into two groups.

Group A will perform Frenkel exercises and group B will perform Swiss ball exercises along routine physical therapy. Before and after intervention period, Static and dynamic balance will be assessed by Pediatric Balance Scale, Timed Up and Go test and Romberg test. Data collection will be done before and after the intervention. Data will be analyzed through SPSS version 23.00.