Down Syndrome

• may improve muscle tone
  
• may increase performance on motor tasks
  
• may increase motility and provide relief from constipation
  
• may improve body awareness and spatial awareness

Hernandez‐Reif, M., Field, T., Largie, S., Mora, D., Bornstein, J., & Waldman, R. (2006). Children with Down syndrome improved in motor functioning and muscle tone following massage therapy. Early Child Development and Care,176(3–4), 395–410. https://doi.org/10.1080/03004430500105233

Abstract: Twenty‐one moderate to high-functioning young children (mean age, two years) with Down syndrome receiving early intervention (physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy) were randomly assigned to additionally receive two 0.5‐hour massage therapy or reading sessions (control group) per week for two months. On the first and last day of the study, the children’s functioning levels were assessed using the Developmental Programming for Infants and Young Children scale, and muscle tone was assessed using a new preliminary scale (the Arms, Legs, and Trunk Muscle Tone Score). Children in the massage therapy group revealed greater gains in fine and gross motor functioning and less severe limb hypotonicity when compared with the children in the reading/control group. These findings suggest that the addition of massage therapy to an early intervention program may enhance motor functioning and increase muscle tone for children with Down syndrome.