title: Effect of early multisensory massage intervention on visual functions in infants with Down syndrome.
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.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  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.
  
  
  METHODS
  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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Viale del Tirreno 331, 56128 Calambrone, Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Giulia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Purpura
authors.affiliation: Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Viale del Tirreno 331, 56128 Calambrone, Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Tinelli
authors.affiliation: Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Viale del Tirreno 331, 56128 Calambrone, Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Stefania
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bargagna
authors.affiliation: Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Viale del Tirreno 331, 56128 Calambrone, Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Margherita
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bozza
authors.affiliation: Section of Epidemiology, CNR Institute of Clinical Physiology, Via Moruzzi 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bastiani
authors.affiliation: 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.
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cioni
mesh_terms: D003867:Depth Perception; D004314:Down Syndrome / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D061345:Early Medical Intervention; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008405:Massage; D010865:Pilot Projects; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity
keywords: Brain plasticity; Down syndrome; Early intervention; Environmental enrichment; Infant massage