The purpose of this study was to examine the validity of a modified Assisted Cycling Therapy bicycle for improving depression in children with Down Syndrome (DS). Seven participants completed 2x/week for 8 weeks, 30 minutes at a time of ACT, in which participants’ voluntary pedaling rates were augmented via the bicycle motor, ensuring that they were pedaling at a rate greater than their self-paced rate. Depression was measured using a modified version of the Children’s Depressive Inventory, called the CDI-2. Our study demonstrated that the scores from the CDI-2 decreased, demonstrating less depressive symptomatology after the conclusion of the 8 week intervention. Our results were interpreted via our model of the mechanisms involved in influencing the success of ACT. Future research would include a greater sample size, a more relevant measure of depressive scores, and a consistent data collection environment. However our initial pilot study showed promising results for improving mental health in children with DS.

Research has shown the benefits of exercise on people with (DS), and how it affects their quality of life (Maïano et al. 2019). However, many studies have also shown that the majority of people with DS do not meet the national minimum requirements for physical activity per day (Phillips et al. 2011). The current study will focus on Pediatric Assisted Cycle Therapy (PACT) as exercise and specifically its effects on children with DS. The goal is to improve the general behavioral skills of children with DS, which in turn can improve their quality of life. We predict that, based on pilot data (Gomez, 2015; Parker, 2016), GLTEQ will increase their total activity score following 8 weeks of PACT in young children with DS. The Godin Leisure Time Exercise Questionnaire was used to measure the participants’ participation levels in leisure time activity. Participants were involved in an 8-week intervention, in which they biked (PACT) for 30 minutes, twice a week. GLETQ was measured pre and post intervention and assessed using the scale provided by the GLETQ. The data from this study has shown a positive correlation between Leisure Time Activity and PACT. Overall, a mean increase in raw activity score in the GLETQ was shown.