Dance, functioning and quality of life in children with Down syndrome and autism spectrum disorder dance, functioning and quality of life in Down syndrome and autism spectrum disorder.

This study investigated dance practice in psychosocial and functional aspects, and quality of life in children with Down syndrome and autism spectrum disorder. Children with DS and ASD, between 3 and 12 years old, attended a dance program during 16 sessions/lessons, lasting 60 min, twice a week, in suitable place. Functional Independence Measure (FIM), Childhood Autism Rating Scale SF-36 quality of life survey, and Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Inquiry (KAP Inquiry) were applied before and after dance classes. Eleven participants concluded the study. Functional independence changes were observed in relation to self-care, sphincter control, locomotion, and communication domains. Children' "quality of life" reported by parents showed changes in functional capacity, vitality, mental health, physical and social aspects, and general state of health domains. These findings suggest that regular dance practice can underlie psychosocial adjustments in children with DS and ASD.

The Potential Role of Previous Physical Exercise Program to Reduce Seizure Susceptibility: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Animal Studies.

Background: Clinical and pre-clinical studies indicate a reduction in seizure frequency as well as a decrease in susceptibility to subsequently evoked seizures after physical exercise programs. In contrast to the influence of exercise after epilepsy previously established, various studies have been conducted attempting to investigate whether physical activity reduces brain susceptibility to seizures or prevents epilepsy. We report a systematic review and meta-analysis of different animal models that addressed the impact of previous physical exercise programs to reduce seizure susceptibility. Methods: We included animal model (rats and mice) studies before brain insult that reported physical exercise programs compared with other interventions (sham, control, or naïve). We excluded studies that investigated animal models after brain insult, associated with supplement nutrition or drugs, that did not address epilepsy or seizure susceptibility, ex vivo studies, in vitro studies, studies in humans, or in silico studies. Electronic searches were performed in the MEDLINE (PubMed), Web of Science (WOS), Scopus, PsycINFO, Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO) databases, and gray literature, without restrictions to the year or language of publication. We used SYRCLE's risk of bias tool and CAMARADES checklist for study quality. We performed a synthesis of results for different types of exercise and susceptibility to seizures by random-effects meta-analysis. Results: Fifteen studies were included in the final analysis (543 animals), 13 of them used male animals, and Wistar rats were the most commonly studied species used in the studies (355 animals). The chemoconvulsants used in the selected studies were pentylenetetrazol, penicillin, kainic acid, pilocarpine, and homocysteine. We assessed the impact of study design characteristics and the reporting of mitigations to reduce the risk of bias. We calculated a standardized mean difference effect size for each comparison and performed a random-effects meta-analysis. The meta-analysis included behavioral analysis (latency to seizure onset, n = 6 and intensity of motor signals, n = 3) and electrophysiological analysis (spikes/min, n = 4, and amplitude, n = 6). The overall effect size observed in physical exercise compared to controls for latency to seizure onset was -130.98 [95% CI: -203.47, -58.49] (seconds) and the intensity of motor signals was -0.40 [95% CI: -1.19, 0.40] (on a scale from 0 to 5). The largest effects were observed in electrophysiological analysis for spikes/min with -26.96 [95% CI: -39.56, -14.36], and for spike amplitude (µV) with -282.64 [95% CI: -466.81, -98.47]. Discussion: Limitations of evidence. A higher number of animal models should be employed for analyzing the influence of exerciseon seizure susceptibility. The high heterogeneity in our meta-analysis is attributable to various factors, including the number of animals used in each study and the limited number of similar studies. Interpretation. Studies selected in this systematic review and meta-analysis suggest that previous physical exercise programs can reduce some of the main features related to seizure susceptibility [latency seizure onset, spikes/min, and spike amplitude (µV)] induced by the administration of different chemoconvulsants. Systematic Review Registration: PROSPERO, identifier CRD42021251949; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=251949.

Dance promotes positive benefits for negative symptoms in autism spectrum disorder (ASD): A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized as a neurodevelopmental disorder with stereotyped and repetitive behaviors. Dance practice can elicit esthesia to stimulate the communication process through the notion of the phenomenal body that is recognized in an expressive and symbolic space. OBJECTIVE: To conduct a systematic review to identify how dance promotes positive benefits for the negative symptoms in ASD. METHOD: We formulated the research question based on PICO: "What is the influence of dance on negative symptoms in individuals with autism spectrum disorder?". Databases were searched in March 2019 and included PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, PsycInfo and Web of Science. RESULTS: We identified 9,350 studies of which five were selected for our review (a total of 266 individuals). All included studies showed an influence of dance on negative symptoms, including empathy, emotional expression, body awareness, behavior, and psychological wellbeing that impact on social reciprocity, and consequently the communication process, in ASD. CONCLUSIONS: Dance practice may contribute to body awareness and social involvement using techniques that provide mirroring, synchronization, rhythm, and reciprocity in adults with normal to high-functioning ASD.

The Contribution of Physical Exercise to Brain Resilience.

Increasing attention has been given to understanding resilience to brain diseases, often described as brain or cognitive reserve. Among the protective factors for the development of resilience, physical activity/exercise has been considered to play an important role. Exercise is known to induce many positive effects on the brain. As such, exercise represents an important tool to influence neurodevelopment and shape the adult brain to react to life's challenges. Among many beneficial effects, exercise intervention has been associated with cognitive improvement and stress resilience in humans and animal models. Thus, a growing number of studies have demonstrated that exercise not only recovers or minimizes cognitive deficits by inducing better neuroplasticity and cognitive reserve but also counteracts brain pathology. This is evidenced before disease onset or after it has been established. In this review, we aimed to present encouraging data from current clinical and pre-clinical neuroscience research and discuss the possible biological mechanisms underlying the beneficial effects of physical exercise on resilience. We consider the implication of physical exercise for resilience from brain development to aging and for some neurological diseases. Overall, the literature indicates that brain/cognitive reserve built up by regular exercise in several stages of life, prepares the brain to be more resilient to cognitive impairment and consequently to brain pathology.

Dance Improves Functionality and Psychosocial Adjustment in Cerebral Palsy: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial.

OBJECTIVE: This randomized controlled clinical trial aimed to investigate the effect of dance in the functionality and psychosocial adjustment of young subjects with cerebral palsy (CP). DESIGN AND METHODS: Twenty-six young subjects with CP, GMFCS (Gross Motor Function Classification System) levels from II to V, were randomized into two intervention groups: kinesiotherapy and dance (n = 13 each). Twenty-four sessions (1 hour, twice a week) were performed in both groups. Functional Independence Measure (FIM) and World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS) by International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) were used before and after each intervention. RESULTS: Dance increased the classification of functioning (P = 0.001), independence function (P = 0.004), self-care (P = 0.01), mobility (P = 0.008), locomotion (P = 0.01), communication (P = 0.02), psychosocial adjustments (P = 0.04), and cognitive function (P = 0.03). Intergroup analysis evidenced significantly greater improvements in classification of functioning (P = 0.0002), independence function (P = 0.0006), self-care (P = 0.01), mobility (P = 0.001), locomotion (P = 0.002), communication (P = 0.0001), psychosocial adjustments (P = 0.002), and cognitive function (P = 0.0001) in dance group. CONCLUSIONS: It was shown that this approach could have an influence on basic common points in the body and motion, including emotional and social aspects, supporting the concept of complex multimodal psychomotor adjustments. Dance promoted enhancement on functionality and social activities regarding psychosocial adjustments in cerebral palsy young subjects.

Dançaterapia no autismo: um estudo de caso / La danzaterapia para el autismo: estudio experimental / Dance therapy in autism: a case report

O autismo é uma das desordens neurológicas mais comuns que afetam o desenvolvimento neuropsicomotor de crianças. Intervenções terapêuticas podem intervir nos transtornos de comunicação e nos comportamentos estereotipados, desse modo a dança, como terapia, pode ativar vias sensoriais que viabilizam o aprimoramento do gesto. Este estudo visou observar os efeitos da dançaterapia no desempenho motor e gestual, no equilíbrio corporal e na marcha, bem como na qualidade de vida de um adolescente com autismo. Trata-se de um estudo de caso de um jovem com 15 anos de idade, que participou de 120 sessões de dançaterapia, com duração de 30 minutos, duas vezes por semana em dias alternados, durante um ano. Os instrumentos de avaliação utilizados foram a Medida da Função Motora (MFM), Teste de Tinetti e Escala de Avaliação do Autismo Infantil (Childhood Autism Rating Scale - CARS). Segundo a MFM, o escore total aumentou 27,08%; o Teste de Tinetti referente ao equilíbrio aumentou de 68 para 75% e a marcha de 16% para 66%; o CARS foi alterado de 41,5 para 34 pontos, transferindo o transtorno de grave para moderado dentro dos parâmetros propostos. A dançaterapia pode otimizar o comportamento neuropsicomotor de jovens com transtornos autistas.

El autismo es uno de los trastornos neurológicos más comunes que afectan al desarrollo neurológico y psicomotor de niños. Diversas intervenciones terapéuticas pueden intervenir en las desordenes de la comunicación y en las conductas estereotipadas, tales como la danza, que como terapia puede activar la sensorialidad permitiendo la mejora del gesto. En este estudio se buscó observar los efectos de la danzaterapia al desempeño motor y del gesto, al equilibrio del cuerpo y de la marcha, así como a la calidad de vida de un adolescente autista. Se trata de un estudio experimental con un joven de 15 años de edad, el cual participó de 120 sesiones de danzaterapia, con duración media de 30 minutos, llevada a cabo dos veces por semana en días distintos, durante un año. Se utilizaron los instrumentos: la Medida de la Función Motora (MFM), la Prueba de Tinetti y la Escala de Evaluación del Autismo Infantil (Childhood Autism Rating Scale - CARS). De acuerdo a la MFM la puntuación total aumentó un 27,08%; la Prueba de Tinetti con respeto al equilibrio aumentó del 68% al 75% y la marcha del 16% al 66%; la CARS bajó del 41,5 al 34 puntos, pasando la clasificación del trastorno, según los parámetros propuestos, de grave a moderado. Así, la danzaterapia puede optimizar la conducta neurológica y psicomotora del joven con trastornos autísticos.no hay comprobación suficiente sobre la eficacia de la VNI en el aumento de la tolerancia al ejercicio.

Autism is one of the most common neurological disorders that affects the neurological development of children. Therapeutic interventions may intervene in communication disorders and stereotyped behaviors such as dancing, which as therapy can activate sensory pathways that enable gesture improvement. This study aimed to observe the effects of dance therapy in motor performance and gesture, body balance and gait, as well as in the quality of life of an adolescent with autistic disorder. It is a case study of a fifteen-year-old male who participated in 120 sessions of dance therapy, lasting 30 minutes, twice a week, on alternate days, over a period of one year. The assessment instruments used were the Motor Function Measure (MFM), Tinetti test and Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS). According to the MFM, the total score increased 27.08%; the Tinetti test regarding balance increased from 68 to 75%, and gait, from 16% to 66%. CARS changed from 41.5 to 34 points, changing the severe disorder to moderate within the proposed parameters. The dance therapy can optimize the psychomotor behavior of young people with autistic disorders.