Children with Generalised Joint Hypermobility and Musculoskeletal Complaints: State of the Art on Diagnostics, Clinical Characteristics, and Treatment

Table 2

Study characteristics and study results.

Author; (year)	Diagnosis; (age, range in years)	Sample size	Design/time-intervals; (weeks after 𝑇0)	Experimental treatment; (w/f/i)	Control treatment; (w/f/i)	Outcome domains; (ICF-CY)	Results	Authors conclusions
van Brussel et al.,; (2008) [73]	OI; (8–18)	𝑁=34; (E: 16/C: 17)	RCT; 𝑇1: 12; 𝑇2: 24; 𝑇3: 36	Physical training; (12/3/45)	Usual care; (?/?/?)	(i) Physical fitness; (ii) Fatigue; (iii) Perceived competence; (iv) HRqOL	Improvements were found on all outcomes in favor of E at 𝑇1. At 𝑇2 and 𝑇3 scores deteriorated	Supervised program improves physical fitness and reduces fatigue safely and effectively
Mintz-Itkin et al.,; (2009) [61]	GJH; (0-1)	𝑁=29; (E: 15/C: 14)	RCT; 𝑇1: 36; 𝑇2: 48; 𝑇3: 60; 𝑇4: 72	Monthly, Bobath treatment; (?/?/?)	Weekly, Bobath treatment; (?/?/?)	(i) Gross motor development; (ii) Achievement motor mile-stones	Motor catch-up was achieved in both groups, (no significant between-group difference)	Monthly physical therapy combined with home exercises is sufficient to achieve motor catch-up
Kemp et al.,; (2009) [59]	JHS/EDSIII; (7–16)	𝑁=57; (E: 30/C: 27)	RCT; 𝑇1: 6; 𝑇2: 12	Enhancing joint control of symptomatic joints; (6/1/30)	Physical training; (6/1/30)	(i) Physical fitness; (ii) Pain scores; (iii) Disability	Both groups improved in perceived pain and functional ability, (no between-group difference)	Both interventions demonstrated significant pain reduction, (no between-groups difference)

OI: Osteogenesis Imperfecta, GJH: generalized joint hypermobility, JHS: joint hypermobility syndrome, EDSIII: Ehlers-Danlos hypermobile type, E: experimental group, C: control group, RCT: randomized clinical trial, w: weeks of treatment, f: frequency per week, i: intensity in minutes per session, ICF-CY: International Classification of Functioning for Child and Youth.