title: Thai Elephant-Assisted Therapy Programme in Children with Down Syndrome.
abstract: The objectives of this study were to examine the effects of the Thai Elephant-Assisted Therapy Programme for children with Down syndrome (DS) (TETP-D) on balance, postural control and visual motor integration (VMI). A quasi-experimental design with blind control was used. Sixteen children with DS from grades 1 to 6, in a Thailand, public school were recruited for this study. The participants were divided voluntarily into two groups: control and experimental. These both groups received regular school activities, but the experimental group had added treatment, which consisted of TETP-D twice a week for 2 months. The balance subtest of the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency 2, the postural control record form and Beery VMI were applied as outcome measure 1 week before and after the TETP-D. The results showed no significant difference in balance or postural control. However, a significant difference of VMI was shown between the two groups (z = 13.5, p = .04). Children with DS benefited from the TETP-D as it improved their VMI. The TETP-D could improve balance and postural control if provided within a suitable frequency and duration. Further research is needed to test this hypothesis. The limitations of this study are the significant differences in some aspects of the groups at pre-test such as gender and supine flexion of postural control. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, 110 Intawaroroj Rd., Sripoom, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand.
authors.forename: Nuntanee
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Satiansukpong
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, 110 Intawaroroj Rd., Sripoom, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand.
authors.forename: Maethisa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pongsaksri
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, 110 Intawaroroj Rd., Sripoom, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand.
authors.forename: Daranee
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sasat
mesh_terms: D056447:Animal Assisted Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D000818:Animals; D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development; D004314:Down Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D004606:Elephants; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019957:Motor Skills Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D004856:Postural Balance; D013785:Thailand
keywords: Down syndrome; animal-assisted therapy; balance; postural control; visual motor integration