Rehabilitation interventions in Rett syndrome: a scoping review
Jan Lim, Dayna Greenspoon, Anne Hunt, Laura McAdam
Abstract
Aim To summarize existing interventions and their outcomes in Rett syndrome (RTT) rehabilitation and identify gaps in the literature. Method Five databases (Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid Embase Classic, Ovid PsycINFO, EBSCO CINAHL Plus, and ProQuest ERIC) were systematically searched up to 23rd July 2018 for studies describing rehabilitation interventions. Data on study participants, design, and outcomes were extracted. Results Sixty‐two articles were included in the final review. Evidence consistently demonstrated that females with RTT can improve their gross motor, fine motor, and communicative skills with rehabilitation. All 11 interventions targeting gross motor function, namely ambulation, achieved functional improvements. Twenty of 24 articles describing fine motor rehabilitation studies succeeded in decreasing stereotypies, improving functional hand use, and/or reducing self‐injurious behaviors. Twenty‐one of 22 studies describing communication interventions succeeded in training choice‐making, communicative language, or socialization behavior. Other key findings include the positive interplay between physical and communicative rehabilitation outcomes, and the ability of females with RTT to improve their cognitive abilities during intervention. Interpretation Rehabilitation can impact the daily lives of females with RTT and their caregivers in clinically meaningful ways. What this paper adds Females with Rett syndrome (RTT) can make developmental gains across their life span. Long‐term intervention can improve the physical abilities of individuals with RTT. Low‐, medium‐, and high‐technology interventions can improve the communicative abilities of individuals with RTT.