Affiliations: [a]
Department of Physical Therapy for Neuromuscular Disorders and its Surgery, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
| [b]
University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences, Austin, Texas, USA
| [c] Department of Physical Therapy for Cardio-Pulmonary Dysfunctions & Geriatrics, Misr University for Science and Technology, 6th of October City, Egypt
| [d]
Department Biomechanics, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
| [e]
Department of Physical Therapy, College of Applied Medical Sciences, University of Hail, Hail, Saudi Arabia
Correspondence:
[*]
Corresponding author: Mohamed E. Khallaf, Department of Physical Therapy for Neuromuscular Disorders and its Surgery, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, 7 Ahmed Elziat st, Doki, Giza-Egypt. Tel.: +20 1 646 4368480; E-mails: mkhallaf@usa.edu and khallaf_mohamed@cu.edu.eg.
Abstract: PURPOSE:Down Syndrome (DS) is characterized by intellectual disability, hypotonia, and joint laxity. Physical disability can be an additional problem and manifests as reduced lower limb muscle strength and impaired balance. The objectives of this study were to characterize DS dynamic foot-ground contact area and to study its relationship with balance impairment among adolescents with DS. METHODS:Twenty-eight children and adolescents with DS and 28 non-DS adolescents/children were matched for age and sex. The Oxford Ankle Foot Questionnaire (parents’ version) was used to measure disability related to ankle/foot problems in all subjects. A pressure-sensitive mat was used to assess the contact area and arch index. Also, a Biodex balance system was used for measuring postural stability. RESULTS:There were significant differences between both groups in all domains of the Oxford Ankle Foot Questionnaire, overall contact area, and arch index (p < 0.05). Overall postural stability index was significantly decreased in subjects with DS (p < 0.05). There was a nonsignificant correlation between contact area and postural stability (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION:Adolescents with DS exhibited larger mid-foot and forefoot contact areas with respect to non-DS matched children. Impairment of balance in adolescents with DS is a multifactorial problem not related to changes in the foot contact area.
Keywords: Ankle, balance, adolescents, down syndrome, foot
