Down Syndrome Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Down Syndrome, including details on education, symptoms, treatment, information.

Aging and Down syndrome: implications for physical therapy.

Barnhart RC, Connolly B

Department of Physical Therapy, East Tennessee State University, Box 70624, Johnson City, TN 37614, USA. barnhart@etsu.edu

The number of people over the age of 60 years with lifelong developmental delays is predicted to double by 2030. Down syndrome (DS) is the most frequent chromosomal cause of developmental delays. As the life expectancy of people with DS increases, changes in body function and structure secondary to aging have the potential to lead to activity limitations and participation restrictions for this population. The purpose of this update is to: (1) provide an overview of the common body function and structure changes that occur in adults with DS as they age (thyroid dysfunction, cardiovascular disorders, obesity, musculoskeletal disorders, Alzheimer disease, depression) and (2) apply current research on exercise to the prevention of activity limitations and participation restrictions. As individuals with DS age, a shift in emphasis from disability prevention to the prevention of conditions that lead to activity and participation limitations must occur. Exercise programs appear to have potential to positively affect the overall health of adults with DS, thereby increasing the quality of life and years of healthy life for these individuals.

Published 2 October 2007 in Phys Ther, 87(10): 1399-406.
Full-text of this article is available online (may require subscription).

© 2004-2008 Down Syndrome Research Today. All Rights Reserved.