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Updated: Aug 19, 2025
Experimental Methods to Study Human Postural Control
Published on: September 11, 2019
The influence between gestational age and postural control, a systematic review
Isabel Tuñón-Domínguez1, Alicia Cuesta-Gómez2, Francisco Molina-Rueda2
1Hospital Beata María Ana, Madrid, Spain.
Insights
Premature infants exhibit poorer postural control compared to full-term infants, indicating potential neuromotor differences. Early detection of fragile postural control is crucial for intervention and preventing future developmental issues.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Rehabilitation Medicine
Background:
- Prematurity presents unique challenges to the developing central nervous system (CNS).
- Fragile postural control in preterm infants may indicate future neuromotor dysfunction.
- Postural control is a key indicator of neurodevelopmental outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate qualitative differences in postural control development between preterm and full-term infants.
- To assess if prematurity impacts postural control development independently of neurological involvement.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of longitudinal and cross-sectional studies (2010-March 2020).
- Inclusion of studies evaluating postural control parameters.
- Methodological quality assessment using CASPe and PRISMA guidelines.
Main Results:
- 16 articles involving 3,460 participants (1,860 preterm, 1,600 term) were included.
- All studies reported poorer postural control in preterm infants compared to term infants.
- Higher prematurity correlated with more limited postural control.
Conclusions:
- Preterm infants demonstrate a qualitatively different and poorer development of postural control.
- Early identification of postural control deficits is vital for timely intervention.
- Findings underscore the importance of monitoring neurodevelopment in preterm populations.
Abstract:
The central nervous system (CNS) of preterm infants might have some peculiarities which distinguish it from that of full term infants. The difficulties associated with prematurity are the main cause of deaths all over the world during the new-born period after community-acquired pneumonia, and the second cause of deaths worldwide in children under five years old. Early recognition of signs indicating fragile postural control in premature infants can support understanding and help prevent and early intervention on possible future neuromotor dysfunctions in these subjects. The purpose of this paper is to determine if there is a qualitatively different development of postural control in premature infants without neurological involvement and infants born at term. We conducted a systematic review of longitudinal and cross-sectional case-control studies published between 2010 and March 2020 on this topic. The evaluation of parameters related to postural control was also included. The methodological quality of the selected works was evaluated using the CASPe critical reading programme for cases and controls. PRISMA guidelines for systematic reviews were followed for prematurity and postural control. 16 articles were included. The total sample amounted to 3,460 participants, of which 1,860 in the preterm group, and 1,600 in the control group. All the studies found show a poorer postural control by the group of children born preterm compared to the group of children born at term and one study indicating more limited postural control with higher prematurity. Regarding the methodological quality according to CASPe, those studies exceeding half of the total score were considered of adequate quality.
