Giulia Purpura1, Francesca Tinelli1, Stefania Bargagna1, Margherita Bozza1, Luca Bastiani2, Giovanni Cioni3. 1. Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Viale del Tirreno 331, 56128 Calambrone, Pisa, Italy. 2. Section of Epidemiology, CNR Institute of Clinical Physiology, Via Moruzzi 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy. 3. Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Viale del Tirreno 331, 56128 Calambrone, Pisa, Italy; Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Savi 10, 56126 Pisa, Italy. Electronic address: gcioni@fsm.unipi.it.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Down syndrome is a frequent cause of intellectual disability, with severe impact on the quality of life of affected individuals and their families, and high social costs. Intervention programs should start soon after birth but no consensus exists on specific types and timing of early interventions in this population. AIM: This pilot study explores the effects of an early multi-sensory intervention, based on body massage, on the development of visual function in infants with Down syndrome. METHOD: Infants were randomly allocated to either a massage or a control group. Intervention consisted of only standard care (Control Group) or standard care plus infant massage (Massaged Group). Visual acuity was assessed by Teller Acuity Cards and stereopsis by the Frisby Stereopsis Screening Test at 5, 6, 9 and 12 months. RESULTS: Massaged Group Infants showed a significantly higher visual acuity at 6 months of age and an accelerated development up to at least 12 months; compared to Controls, stereopsis had an earlier onset in the Massaged Group followed by a faster maturation. CONCLUSION: Environmental enrichment, in the tested form of infant massage, seems to affect maturation of visual functions in human infants, also in the presence of a genetic disability, when applied during a period of high brain plasticity.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND: Down syndrome is a frequent cause of intellectual disability, with severe impact on the quality of life of affected individuals and their families, and high social costs. Intervention programs should start soon after birth but no consensus exists on specific types and timing of early interventions in this population. AIM: This pilot study explores the effects of an early multi-sensory intervention, based on body massage, on the development of visual function in infants with Down syndrome. METHOD:Infants were randomly allocated to either a massage or a control group. Intervention consisted of only standard care (Control Group) or standard care plus infant massage (Massaged Group). Visual acuity was assessed by Teller Acuity Cards and stereopsis by the Frisby Stereopsis Screening Test at 5, 6, 9 and 12 months. RESULTS: Massaged Group Infants showed a significantly higher visual acuity at 6 months of age and an accelerated development up to at least 12 months; compared to Controls, stereopsis had an earlier onset in the Massaged Group followed by a faster maturation. CONCLUSION: Environmental enrichment, in the tested form of infant massage, seems to affect maturation of visual functions in humaninfants, also in the presence of a genetic disability, when applied during a period of high brain plasticity.
Authors: Giuseppina Sgandurra; Jakob Lorentzen; Emanuela Inguaggiato; Laura Bartalena; Elena Beani; Francesca Cecchi; Paolo Dario; Matteo Giampietri; Gorm Greisen; Anna Herskind; Jens Bo Nielsen; Giuseppe Rossi; Giovanni Cioni Journal: PLoS One Date: 2017-03-22 Impact factor: 3.240