The Use of Virtual and Computational Technologies in the Psychomotor and Cognitive Development of Children with Down Syndrome: A Systematic Literature Review

Elvio Boato, Geiziane Melo, Mário Filho, Eduardo Moresi, Carla Lourenço, Rosana Tristão, Elvio Boato, Geiziane Melo, Mário Filho, Eduardo Moresi, Carla Lourenço, Rosana Tristão

Abstract

Individuals with Down syndrome (DS) have numerous comorbidities due to trisomy 21. However, virtual reality-based therapy (VRT) has been used nowadays as a learning and visual motor tool in order to facilitate the development and learning process of this group. The aim of this article was to carry out an integrative review of the literature on the use of virtual and computational technologies in the stimulation of children with DS. A search was carried out according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) through single key words or their combinations using AND or OR operators: "Down syndrome" AND ("development" OR "cognition" OR "visomotor" OR "digital game" OR "virtual reality"). Eventually, 18 articles were included in our review. The games used in the research were able to stimulate, through the visual field, global motor skills, balance, body scheme and spatial organization, in addition to the learning of mathematical concepts, in order to directly influence the autonomous life activities, language skills, social skills and educational aspects of people with DS. Electronic games contribute to the teaching-learning relationship and stimulate neuropsychomotor and cognitive functions and development in children with DS.

Keywords: Down syndrome; assistive technologies; computational technologies; virtual technologies.

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Co-occurrence network of keywords by the authors.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Citation network of cited references.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Conceptual space of the research, with the selection of the keywords “Down syndrome” and “games”.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Stages of the search and selection process.

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