A equoterapia no desenvolvimento global em adolescentes com Síndromes de Down: relato de caso

Abstract

Down Syndrome is characterized by trisomy of chromosome 21. Individuals with Down Syndrome present with hypotonia, ligamentous laxity, postural control deficits, and impairments in cognitive and motor development, among other clinical conditions. Equine therapy has proven to be one of the strategies used in the rehabilitation process for motor adjustments. It is a therapeutic intervention that uses the horse as the main agent, whose three-dimensional movements in gait stimulate tonic adjustment and promote postural reorganization. This research is a case report that aimed to analyze the effectiveness of equine therapy on balance in an adolescent with Down syndrome. The initial assessment revealed low muscle strength in the limbs, postural instability, and altered balance. After 8 sessions of equine therapy, the results showed a significant improvement in the strength of the hip flexor, ankle dorsiflexor, wrist extensor, and elbow flexor muscles, as measured by the Scale.Medical Research Council(86.7%)Regarding static and dynamic balance, as measured using the Pediatric Balance Scale, the child demonstrated progress in postural adaptation skills, weight transfer, trunk control, and motor coordination.(76.18%). ThisThis study, presented in a case report, demonstrated that the use of equine therapy as a unique form of rehabilitation resulted in significant improvements in muscle strengthening and static and dynamic balance. This was achieved through exercises combined during the session, such as stimulating emotional bonds with the animal and the environment, stretching, strengthening, cognitive activities, and working on autonomy and confidence. This opened the door to including this technique in the rehabilitation process of adolescents with Down Syndrome.