Table 4. Postural control features extracted from selected studies.
| Study | Sample size and age | Evaluation aim | Intervention | Main outcomes in the DS group |
| Webber et al., 200439) | DS: 9 (19–38 years) CG: 9 (21–40 years) | Postural control assessment. | None. | Greater stiffness, higher with eyes closed. Greater sway velocity. |
| Galli et al., 200840) | DS: 60 (16–22 years) CG: 10 (19–25 years) | Postural control assessment. | None. | Greater ML excursion, trajectory length of COP and frequencies in ML and AP directions. |
| Cimolin et al., 201114) | DS: 19 (25.7 years) CG: 20 (29.1 years) | Postural control assessment. | None. | Greater sway amplitude in ML and AP directions with EO in comparison to CG. |
| Rigoldi et al., 201142) | DS children: 37 (6–11 years). DS adolescents: 58 (12–19 years). DS adults: 45 (22–46 years). CG children: 10 (5–11 years). CG adolescents: 15 (13–20 years). CG adults: 16 (29–50 years). | Postural control assessment. | None. | Larger movement frequency in ML direction in the adult group. ML excursion of COP diminished from children to adults (both EO and EC). |
| Cabeza-Ruiz et al., 201141) | DS: 27 (27.4 years) CG: 27 (23.4 years) | Postural control assessment. | None. | Poorer static balance control. Greater COP trajectory. |
| Villarroya et al., 201247) | DS: 32 (10–19 years) CG: 33 (10–19 years) | Postural control assessment. | None. | Greater COP displacement in AP and ML directions. Greater COP velocity and median frequency. Larger COP sway path. |
| Wang et al., 201244) | DS: 23 (14.4 years) CG: 18 (13.8 years) | Postural control assessment. | None. | DS: greater displacement and higher velocity of COP sway during quiet standing. EO: Greater COP velocity and sway in ML direction. EC: Greater COP velocity; longer reaction and movement times than in CG. |
| Vilarroya et al., 201315) | DS: 30 (11–20 years) CG: 27 (11–20 years) | Postural control assessment. | Vibration training program. | DS: Greater velocity of COP displacement. Higher values of postural parameters values (EO, EC). |
| Bieć et al., 201445) | DS: 10 (29.8 years) CG: 11 (28.4 years) | To examine postural control on hard and soft surfaces. | None. | Greater COP variability in ML direction with EO over foam cushion. Greater mean velocity of COP and frequency with foam cushion. DS with EO: greater sway in ML direction with foam cushion. Reduced ML control with EO on foam cushion. Greater sway frequency and mean velocity in AP direction. |
| Eid et al., 201738) | DS: 31 (9–12 years) | Measurement of stability indices, peak torque of knee flexors and extensors of both sides using the isokinetic dynamometer. | Two subgroups: 1) conventional physical therapy, 2) added isokinetic training 3 days a week for 12 weeks. | Greater improvements observed in group 2) regarding postural balance and peak torque of knee flexors and extensors. |
Age is expressed as range or mean, according to availability.
COP: center of pressure; COG: center of gravity; CG: control group; DS: Down syndrome; EC/EO: eyes closed/open; ML: mediolateral; ROM: Range of motion.