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Assessing postural asymmetry with a podoscope in infants with Central Coordination Disturbance
Magdalena Pyzio-Kowalik1, Dorota Wójtowicz, Anna Skrzek
1Promyk Słońca Rehabilitation-Diagnostic Center, ul. Swobodna 8a, Wrocław 50-001, Poland. meggifit@gmail.com
Insights
This study digitally assessed infant postural asymmetry using the PodoBaby podoscope, confirming its alignment with clinical diagnoses for Central Coordination Disturbance (CCD). Findings reveal significant differences in asymmetry between healthy infants and those with CCD.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Neurology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Central Coordination Disturbance (CCD) affects infant motor development.
- Accurate assessment of postural asymmetry is crucial for early diagnosis and intervention in infants.
- Existing diagnostic methods for CCD, like Vojta's method, are primarily clinical and subjective.
Purpose of the Study:
- To digitally evaluate the incidence and severity of postural asymmetry in infants with CCD.
- To validate the use of a computer-aided podoscope (PodoBaby) for assessing infant postural asymmetry.
- To correlate digital podoscopy findings with traditional clinical assessments (Vojta's method).
Main Methods:
- A sample of 120 infants (3-6 months old) was studied, including 60 with diagnosed CCD and 60 healthy controls.
- Infants were photographed using the PodoBaby computer-aided podoscope in both supine and prone positions.
- A symmetry index was calculated to quantify postural asymmetry, comparing the PodoBaby results with Vojta's method diagnosis.
Main Results:
- Postural asymmetry assessed by the PodoBaby digital system correlated well with clinical diagnoses made using Vojta's method.
- Statistically significant differences in postural asymmetry were observed between infants with CCD and healthy infants.
- Significant relationships were found between the magnitude and direction of asymmetry in both supine and prone positions.
Conclusions:
- The PodoBaby system provides a reliable digital tool for assessing postural asymmetry in infants.
- Digital podoscopy can aid in the early detection and management of Central Coordination Disturbance in infants.
- Objective digital assessment complements subjective clinical evaluations for infant neuromotor disorders.
Abstract:
The aim of this study was to digitally evaluate the incidence and severity of postural asymmetry in infants with Central Coordination Disturbance (CCD) by using a computer-aided podoscope (PodoBaby) from CQ Elektronik System. A sample of 120 infants aged from 3 months (± 1 week) to 6 months (± 1 week) took part in the study, of which 60 were diagnosed with CCD by a neurologist using Vojta's method and the remaining half healthy, non-afflicted infants. The relationships between Vojta's method, as a subjective clinical diagnostic tool for assessing the functional performance of infants with CCD, and the postural asymmetry results recorded with the podoscope, were also defined. Each infant was placed on the podoscope and photographed underneath in two positions: first lying on their back and then on their stomach. A symmetry index was used to calculate body asymmetry, i.e., the percent difference of abnormal body posture by favoring one side of the body to the other. The results confirmed that postural asymmetry assessed by the PodoBaby was in line with the earlier clinical diagnosis using Vojta's method. Statistically significant differences in postural asymmetry were also found between the healthy infants and infants with CCD. In addition, significant relationships were demonstrated in the magnitude and direction of asymmetry in the stomach and back positions.
