Balance test and psychological measures - implications for selection of balance test battery

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Neurology
• Developmental Psychology
• Rehabilitation Medicine

Background:

• Neurological diseases impact children's cognitive and motor development.
• Self-perception and parental perceptions can affect motor abilities.
• Understanding these influences is crucial for effective intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between psychological factors and balance test performance in children with neurological diseases.
• To assess the influence of children's self-perception and parental attitudes on motor function.
• To determine if cognitive or psychological functioning impacts balance capabilities.

Main Methods:

• Thirty-eight pediatric patients with neurological diseases participated.
• A comprehensive assessment included balance tests, instrumented gait analysis, and psychological evaluations.
• Maternal attitudes and influences were also systematically assessed.

Main Results:

• A strong correlation was found between functional balance test results and children's self-assessed competence (overall, strength, perseverance).
• Higher personal competence was linked to better performance in specific balance tasks.
• Maternal acceptance significantly influenced performance on functional balance tests (Biodex).

Conclusions:

• Psychological factors, particularly personal competence and parental acceptance, play a significant role in balance test outcomes for children with neurological conditions.
• Interventions should consider addressing children's self-perception and parental dynamics.
• Patient identification with actions may also impact results.