La equinoterapia para desarrollar la psicomotricidad en niños de inicial con síndrome de Down

Abstract

Children with Down Syndrome face significant difficulties and challenges in the area of psychomotor skills; low muscle tone or hypotonia is characteristic of this condition. They have limited resistance to stretching, and their muscles are usually flaccid, affecting coordination and motor control. This research aims to evaluate the impact of equine therapy on the psychomotor development of 4-5-year-old children with Down Syndrome. Equine therapy takes advantage of the natural qualities of horses and is used in treating people with disabilities. This technique provides dynamic support, enabling individuals to coordinate and control their movements, improving their physical, emotional, and cognitive development. Equine therapy and psychomotor skills are intrinsically related since both therapeutic interventions aim to enhance the overall development of children with Down syndrome. The information for this study was gathered from digital databases of the Catholic University of Cuenca and platforms such as Google Academic, Redalyc, and SciELO. The research reviewed on this topic shows that equine therapy favors progress in psychomotor development by strengthening the human-animal bond. The findings indicate that equine therapy significantly improves in gait, movement, balance, coordination, and muscle tone while enhancing emotional development and self-esteem in children with Down Syndrome. This comprehensive therapy effectively addresses key aspects of gross and fine motor skills, benefiting the psychomotor development of these children.