EFFECT OF NEUROMUSCULAR ELECTRICAL STIMULATION ON DYSPHAGIA IN CHILDREN WITH DOWN SYNDROME - Trial NCT05277142

Timeline & Enrollment

Primary Outcome

1- Oral Motor Assessment Scale,2- Pediatric Eating Assessment Tool- Pedi EAT,3- Pediatric Eating Assessment Tool

Summary

Although some western studies have been conducted to determine the nature of eating problems
 and oral motor training in children with Down syndrome, these studies are limited. Most of
 the studies were done in Down syndrome infants. Since feeding is a skill that develops by 2
 years of age and refines till 6 years of age (Delaney & Arvedson 2008), it is essential to
 study the children in this age group as well. Moreover, there is a dearth of studies
 investigating the impact of oral motor exercises on feeding problems of the child, which may,
 in turn, hinder the progress of the child during the intervention. Blissett J., (2018)
 reported that the behaviours of both caretaker, therapist and infant during feeding
 contribute significantly to the overall success of the feeding interaction as well as feeding
 performance. Parents/caregivers play an important role in feeding the child, as they have the
 first-hand exposure and experience in feeding their child, awareness of the child's feeding
 behaviours, likes and dislikes of food and communication behaviour during hunger.
 Consequently, they are the best people to describe their child's feeding problems. Hence,
 this study involves the administration of a scale on the parent/caregiver to elicit
 information about the physical, functional and emotional aspects of drooling. Such studies in
 the Egyptian context are limited. The paucity of literature makes it clear that there are
 deeper underlying complex issues about oral motor exercises in children with Down syndrome
 that needs to be investigated. The in-depth assessment and treatment of oral motor skills
 will provide valuable input to the physical therapists during the treatment of feeding
 problems in children with Down syndrome. This would help the therapist and clinician in
 planning and prioritizing the goals during therapy. The information will also help in
 counselling the caregivers, deciding the success or failure of feeding therapy and thereby
 help in predicting the prognosis of the child.

ICD-10 Classifications