Therapy Taping Method can Assist in the Formation of the Plantar Arch in Children with Down Syndrome

Abstract

AbstractChildren with Down syndrome (DS) have flat foot due to the non-formation of the plantar arch, which can influence their postural balance. This study had as objective to assess the influence of the Therapy Taping Method in the formation of the plantar arch and balance in children with DS. Type of study: Experimental. 5 children were selected, between 9 to 12 years old with DS, without any other neurological or orthopedic pathology associated with it. For analysis of the type of plantar arch, the children were placed standing on a sheet of brown paper, with the soles of the feet painted with gouache paint. The measures of the plantar arch were calculated according to the method described by Cavanagh and Rodgers. The analysis of the balance was made according to the scale of Tinetti. The application of the bandage according to the Therapy Taping Method was carried out using the technique in I, aiming at the excitatory stimulation of the anterior tibialis muscle. The changes were held weekly for six weeks. All children had the plantar arch index = 0.3 (flat feet) before and after the application of bandages; the scale of Tinetti applied initially and after treatment showed significant results (p<0.01). The functional bandage based on Therapy Taping Method can be an effective alternative for the improvement of static and dynamic balance in children with DS, despite not having observed significant changes in the plantar arch index. Keywords: Down Syndrome. Athletic Tape. Child. ResumoCriancas com Sindrome de Down (SD) apresentam pe plano devido a nao formacao do arco plantar, o qual pode influenciar no seu equilibrio postural. Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a influencia do Metodo Therapy Taping na formacao do arco plantar e equilibrio em criancas com SD. Tipo de estudo: Experimental. Foram selecionadas 5 criancas, entre 9 a 12 anos de idade, com SD, sem qualquer outra patologia neurologica ou ortopedica associada. Para analise do tipo de arco plantar, as criancas foram posicionadas em pe sobre uma folha de papel pardo, com as plantas dos pes pintadas com tinta guache. As medidas do arco plantar foram calculadas segundo o metodo de Cavanagh e Rodgers. A analise do equilibrio foi feita segundo a Escala de Tinetti. A aplicacao da bandagem segundo o Metodo Therapy Taping foi feita atraves da tecnica em I, visando o estimulo excitatorio do musculo tibial anterior. As trocas foram realizadas semanalmente durante seis semanas. Todas as criancas apresentaram indice do arco plantar = 0,3 (pe plano) antes e apos a aplicacao da bandagem; a escala de Tinetti aplicada inicialmente e apos o tratamento apresentou resultados significativos (p<0,01). A bandagem funcional baseada no Metodo Therapy Taping pode ser uma alternativa eficaz para a melhora do equilibrio estatico e dinâmico em criancas com SD, apesar de nao ter observado alteracoes significativos no indice do arco plantar. Palavras-chave: Sindrome de Down. Fita Atletica. Crianca.