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The use of pressure mapping for seating posture characterisation in children with cerebral palsy
Laetitia Fradet1, John Tiernan, Margaret McGrath
1Department of Orthopaedics, University of Heidelberg, Schlierbacher Landstraße 200a, Heidelberg, Germany. lfradet@yahoo.fr
Insights
Pressure mapping effectively assesses the sitting posture of children with cerebral palsy (CP). This technology can detect activity and identify adverse postures, offering quantitative and qualitative insights for improved support.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Rehabilitation Technology
- Clinical Biomechanics
Background:
- Children with cerebral palsy (CP) often experience challenges with maintaining optimal seated posture.
- Accurate assessment of posture is crucial for effective intervention and support in children with CP.
- Existing methods for posture assessment may lack objectivity or detailed quantitative data.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the feasibility of utilizing pressure mapping technology for characterizing the seated posture of children with cerebral palsy (CP).
- To determine if pressure mapping can provide objective and quantifiable data on sitting posture in this population.
Main Methods:
- Pressure mapping data and video recordings were collected from children with CP during daily activities.
- A comparative assessment involved pressure mapping of non-disabled children using a standardized protocol.
- Analysis focused on pressure variations and spatial distribution to infer postural characteristics.
Main Results:
- Pressure mapping successfully detected periods of activity through mean pressure variation.
- Key parameters derived from pressure data effectively assessed children's postures.
- The center of pressure relative to ischial tuberosities identified adverse postures like pelvic obliquity and trunk deviations.
- Potential for characterizing pelvic rotation was noted, though not fully tested.
Conclusions:
- Pressure monitoring is a viable tool for both qualitative and quantitative assessment of sitting posture in children with CP.
- This technology offers a promising approach to objectively evaluate and understand postural challenges in children with CP.
Purpose:
To investigate the feasibility of using pressure mapping for the characterisation of the seated posture of children with cerebral palsy (CP).
Method:
Analysis of pressure mapping readings and video of children seated in a seating system during two assessments: The first assessment involved the pressure mapping of non-disabled children during a standardised protocol, and the second one involved the pressure mapping of children with CP performing daily life activities.
Results:
It was possible to detect periods of activity of the children from pressure readings using the mean variation of pressure. Additionally, several parameters stemming from pressure readings were shown to be successful in assessing the posture of the children. The centre of pressure when positioned relative to the ischial tuberosities, allowed for recognition of 'adverse postures' involving pelvic obliquity/medio-lateral trunk flexion or antero-posterior pelvic tilt/ trunk flexion-extension, as deviations from the centre point. The angle between the principal axis of the sensors' pressure and the medio-lateral axis of the seat was also proposed to characterise pelvic transverse rotation but could not be tested with the actual protocol.
Conclusions:
Pressure monitoring can be used to assess qualitatively and quantitatively sitting posture of children with CP.
