Partial Body Weight Treadmill Training in Children Under 6

A research review was published on treadmill interventions with partial body weight support in children under six years of age at risk of neuromotor delay.  Five diverse studies were included on treadmill training in 139 children.  Data was only included from three studies because the 5 studies were so diverse.  These 3 studies all had outcomes of age of onset of walking or gross motor function.  The evidence suggested that treadmill intervention could lead to earlier onset of walking in children with Down syndrome but the evidence was not clear for children at risk of neuromotor delay.  Two of the studies included children with Down syndrome and the results were inconclusive.  There was insufficient evidence regarding treadmill intervention and gross motor function.

The researchers concluded that treadmill intervention may accelerate the development of independent walking in children with Down syndrome. Further research is needed on treadmill interventions in young children at risk for neuromotor delay.

Reference: Valentin-Gudiol M, Bagur-Calafat C, Girabent-Farrés M, Hadders-Algra M, Mattern-Baxter K, Angulo-Barroso R. Treadmill interventions with partial body weight support in children under six years of age at risk of neuromotor delay: a report of a Cochrane systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur J Phys Rehabil Med. 2013 Feb;49(1):67-91.