Rhythmic movement disorder in Down syndrome: prevalence & phenotype
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A study to determine the prevalence and phenotype of rhythmic movement disorder in children with Down syndrome
IRAS ID
174916
Contact name
Catherine Hill
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University Hospital Southampton
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 6 months, 30 days
Research summary
Rhythmic movement disorder (RMD) is defined as repetitive, stereotyped, rhythmic motor behaviours at sleep onset; specifically head banging, body rocking or rolling. RMD usually starts between 6 and 12 months of age and subsides rapidly by preschool age. If it persists into later childhood or adolescence, it can be resistant to treatment. RMD is likely to represent a conditioned self-soothing behaviour although some children also exhibit RMD during sleep. While most children with RMD are healthy and typically developing, it is thought to be associated with developmental disorders such as autism and ADHD. In a recent study which aimed to assess the accuracy of a home pulse oximetry in diagnosing obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) in Down syndrome (DS) children (REF 13/SC/0106), the applicant found that approximately 23% of the participants with DS exhibited some forms of rhythmic movements (RM). RMD in general has been the subject of very little research and certainly no robust treatment trials. All families of children in this study agreed to be part of a research registry facilitating contact for potential participation in future research.
This phenotyping study aims to explore the relationship between RMD and DS. DS participants in the previous OSA study will be invited to participate in this study comprising questionnaire-based assessments of health, development and sleep alongside socio-demographic and life-event data. Overnight digital film recording will characterise RMD. Wrist watch actigraphy over 5 nights will determine sleep quality. Children without RMD from the same research registry will be recruited to participate as healthy controls, based on questionnaires and actigraphy data only. We predict a maximum of 30 participants and 30 controls will be recruited into this study and estimate a minimum of 25 cases and 25 controls.
REC name
Wales REC 5
REC reference
15/WA/0294
Date of REC Opinion
24 Aug 2015
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion