Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 16, 2026
Evaluating Postural Control and Lower-extremity Muscle Activation in Individuals with Chronic Ankle Instability
Published on: September 18, 2020
Role of visual dysfunction in postural control in children with cerebral palsy
G Porro1, D van der Linden, O van Nieuwenhuizen
1Department of Ophthalmology, University Medical Center, Utrecht, The Netherlands. G.Porro@hccnet.nl
Insights
Children with cerebral palsy (CP) exhibit postural control issues linked to visual system dysfunction. This study reveals how visual impairments, affecting different parts of the visual pathway, influence abnormal head posture and body adjustments in CP.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Ophthalmology
- Developmental Pediatrics
Background:
- Deficient postural control is a primary challenge in cerebral palsy (CP).
- The specific nature of postural problems and their relationship with visual system dysfunction in children with CP remains underexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between postural control abnormalities and visual system dysfunction in children with CP.
- To elucidate the role of anterior and posterior visual pathway impairments in postural deficits.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of data from over 313 neurologically impaired children.
- Inclusion of ophthalmologic, orthoptic, neurological, neuro-radiological, and ethological assessments.
Main Results:
- Ocular and ocular motor disorders correlated with abnormal postural control, including anomalous head control, abnormal head posture, and torticollis.
- Retrochiasmatical damage to the visual system was associated with torticollis and upper body adjustments, suggesting adaptation to visual deficits.
Conclusions:
- Visual dysfunctions significantly contribute to postural control issues in children with cerebral palsy.
- Understanding these links can inform targeted interventions for improving motor function.
Introduction:
Deficient postural control is one of the key problems in cerebral palsy (CP). Little, however, is known about the specific nature of postural problems of children with CP, nor of the relation between abnormal posture and dysfunction of the visual system.
Aim Of The Study:
To provide additional information on the association of abnormalities in postural control and visual dysfunction of the anterior or posterior part of the visual system.
Methods:
Data resulting from ophthalmologic, orthoptic, neurological, neuro-radiological, and ethological investigations of more than 313 neurologically impaired children were retrospectively analyzed.
Results:
Abnormal postural control related to ocular and ocular motor disorders consisted of anomalous head control and subsequent abnormal head posture and torticollis. The abnormal postural control related to retrochiasmatical damage of the visual system consisted of a torticollis combined with adjustment of the upper part of the body, as if at the same time adapting to a combination of defects and optimizing residual visual functions.
Conclusion:
Visual dysfunctions play a distinct role in the postural control of children with CP.
Related Concept Videos
01:22Indirect Motor Pathways
The vestibulospinal tract originates in the vestibular nuclei of the brainstem. The vestibular system detects changes in...
01:28Major Somatic Sensory Pathways