4. Discussion
The analysis of the studies included in the present review demonstrates the predominance of the use of kinematics for the evaluation of the upper limb movement in children with DS. Other relevant studies not included in this review have also demonstrated the positive results of the kinematic analysis of upper limb movements in this population (Cioni, Cocilovo, Rossi, Paci, & Valle, 2001; Galli et al., 2007).
However, no standardization was found among the studies included in the present review with regard to data collection, data processing and evaluation procedures. The kinematic evaluation is effective for a discussion of the results, but we believe that the methodological differences and inconsistent results exert a negative impact on clinical interpretation and the possibility of reproducibility (Anastasia et al., 2012; Geerts, Einspieler, Dibiasi, Garzarolli, & Bos, 2003).
In the context of neurological disorders, the goal of therapy is to reduce the dependence individuals by providing greater functionality, which enables the performance of activities of daily living with greater efficiency and independence. Assessment tools and specific measures assist in the evaluation of aspects such as muscle strength, range of motion, dexterity, velocity and the efficacy of movements. Adequate treatment requires ample knowledge of all upper limb disorders. The clinical evaluation of the upper limbs combined with objective, quantitative measures can provide the necessary basis for the determination of the most adequate form of treatment. The clinical application of a three-dimensional upper limb movement protocol requires the establishment of a biomechanical model and a set of relevant tasks (Guimarães and Blascovi-Assis, 2012).
