Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 19, 2025
Author Spotlight: Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Combined with Movement Observation in Cerebral Palsy
Published on: August 9, 2024
Postural Control Alterations in Children with Mild Forms of Spastic Cerebral Palsy
Cemil Özal1, Songül Aksoy2, Mintaze Kerem Günel1
1Department of Fundamental Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Hacettepe University, Faculty of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Ankara, Turkey.
Insights
Children with mild spastic Cerebral Palsy (CP) exhibit different postural control than typically developing children. This difference was observed in visual and composite balance scores, indicating altered balance responses in CP.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Neurology
- Biomechanics
Background:
- Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder affecting movement and posture.
- Spastic CP, the most prevalent type, impacts muscle tone and coordination.
- Understanding postural control differences is crucial for targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate and compare postural control responses between children with mild spastic Cerebral Palsy (CP) and typically developing (TD) children.
- To identify specific sensory system contributions to balance deficits in children with CP.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study involving 20 children with mild spastic CP (Level I-II) and 20 TD children.
- Utilized Computerized Dynamic Posturography (CDP) with the Sensory Organization Test (SOT) for quantitative balance assessment.
Main Results:
- Significant differences in visual and composite balance scores were found between children with CP and TD peers (p<0.05).
- Children with CP demonstrated increased postural sway compared to TD children (p<0.05).
- No significant differences were observed in vestibular or somatosensory scores between the groups.
Conclusions:
- Children with mild spastic CP show distinct postural control responses compared to typically developing children.
- Balance impairments in mild spastic CP may be more influenced by visual processing than vestibular or somatosensory inputs.
- These findings highlight the need for tailored rehabilitation strategies focusing on visual-vestibular integration and postural sway reduction.
Purpose:
To determine the postural control responses' differences between children with mild spastic Cerebral Palsy (CP) and children who are typically developing (TD).
Patients And Methods:
Children with spastic CP, Level I-II (n=20, mean age=9.42±4.59 years, 50% girls, 50% boys) and children with TD (N=20, mean age=9.65±3.03, 55% girls, 45% boys) were included in the study. All participants were evaluated with Computerized Dynamic Posturography, Sensory Organization Test (SOT).
Results:
There were differences between children with spastic CP and children with TD in visual and composite balance score of SOT significantly (p<0.05); there were no differences at vestibular and somatosensory scores of SOT. Children with CP had more postural sway than children with TD (p<0.05).
Conclusion:
There were differences between children with mild CP and TD in terms of postural control responses.
