The Effect of Secondary Cognitive Task on Time of the Stance Phase of People with Down Syndrome

Cognitive limitations in Down syndrome affect learning. Furthermore, improper performance of movement and low muscle tone are among the crucial causes of postural control impairment and gait instability in Down syndrome. This study was aimed to investigate the role of secondary cognitive tasks on time of the stance phase of subjects with Down Syndrome.

20 males with Down syndrome with a mean age of 11.50 ± 2.28 years were selected from the patients registered by the Down Syndrome Association in Rasht, Anzali, and Lahijan, Gilan Province, Iran. Participants performed two different cognitive tasks while walking on the Foot Medisense machine and the timing of the stance-phase was measured.

The results showed no significant difference between the intra-group factors in the right and left heel strike phase. However, the foot flat phase, mid-stance phase, heel-off, and toe-off phase in the right and left heel strike phase have shown significant differences. Furthermore, a significant difference between intra-group factors for the left and right leg was observed.

Our data indicate that the evaluation of the stance-phase could be used for the assessment of motor function in children with Down syndrome.