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Experimental Methods to Study Human Postural Control
Published on: September 11, 2019
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Postural control in children with and without neurofibromatosis type 1
Barbara A Johnson1, Bruce A MacWilliams2, David A Stevenson3
1Shriners Hospitals for Children Salt Lake City, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
Human Movement Science
|March 18, 2014
Summary
Children with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) exhibit poorer postural control, particularly younger children. This suggests balance issues in NF1 may improve with age.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Biomechanics
Background:
- Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is associated with motor delays.
- Previous balance assessments in NF1 have shown low sensitivity.
- Objective measures of postural control are needed for NF1 research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare postural control in children with NF1 and typically developing peers.
- To identify specific balance deficits in children with NF1 using force plate analysis.
- To investigate the impact of age on postural control in NF1.
Main Methods:
- Participants: Children with NF1 and a typically developing control group.
- Assessment: Single limb stance test using a force plate.
- Outcome Measures: Center of pressure maximum distance (COPmax A/P) and velocity (COPvel A/P).
Main Results:
- Children with NF1 demonstrated significantly poorer postural control than controls (p=.01 for both COPmax A/P and COPvel A/P).
- Significant differences were observed in NF1 children aged 5-12 years.
- No significant differences in postural control were found for NF1 children aged 13-18 years.
Conclusions:
- Young children with NF1 have impaired postural control.
- Postural control deficits in NF1 may improve with age and maturation.
- Force plate analysis provides sensitive measures for assessing balance in NF1.
