Current Research
Motor Activity & Locomotion in Infants with and without Down Syndrome
Principal Investigator: Rosa Angulo Barroso (rangulo@umich.edu)
Co-Investigator: Timothy R.B. Johnson, M.D.
Infants with Down syndrome (DS) show developmental delays in the locomotor domain compared
to infants with typical development (TD). Early interventions may hasten the onset of
prelocomotor abilities, and ultimately the onset of independent walking. However, these
therapeutic programs must be designed an implemented based on scientific evidence. Therefore,
the goal of this grant proposal is to generate scientific evidence to support specific leg
movement training (kicking) during early development to enhance later locomotor function. To
examine this question, it is necessary to accurately characterize the spontaneous motor
activity of infants with and without Down syndrome between 3-9 months of age and identify
relationships between frequency and quality of motor activity, major locomotor milestones,
and treadmill stepping. This will be accomplished through the implementation of a
longitudinal, ecologically valid, objective and comprehensive analysis of the frequency of
trunk activity and the frequency and quality of leg activity. Treadmill stepping and
locomotor milestones will be used as the primary outcomes.
All Current Research
|