Evaluation of Postural Stability in Children: Current Theories and Assessment Tools

Children with many types of motor dysfunction have problems maintaining postural stability. Because maintenance of postural stability is an integral part of all movements, therapists evaluate and treat to improve postural stability in these children. This article reviews current pediatric assessment...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Physical therapy 1997-06, Vol.77 (6), p.629-645
Main Authors: Westcott, S L, Lowes, L P, Richardson, P K
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Abnormalities
Activities of Daily Living
Adolescent
Age Factors
Biomechanical Phenomena
Care and treatment
Child
Child, Preschool
Children & youth
Humans
Infant
Motor ability
Motor skills
Pediatrics
Physical Therapy Modalities - methods
Postural Balance
Posture
Posture disorders
Reproducibility of Results
Sensation Disorders - diagnosis
Sensation Disorders - etiology
Sensation Disorders - therapy
Tests
Vestibular Function Tests
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Description
Summary:Children with many types of motor dysfunction have problems maintaining postural stability. Because maintenance of postural stability is an integral part of all movements, therapists evaluate and treat to improve postural stability in these children. This article reviews current pediatric assessment tools for postural stability and issues affecting testing this construct in children. The tests and measurements are classified according to their testing purpose and the National Center for Medical Rehabilitation Research disablement framework, focusing on the impairment and functional limitation dimensions. Postural stability is defined from a systems perspective with tests related to the sensory, motor, and biomechanical systems described. Reliability and validity information on the measurements is discussed. Relatively few measurements of postural stability in children are available that have acceptable reliability and validity documentation. Suggestions for research on test development in this area are discussed.
ISSN:0031-9023
1538-6724
DOI:10.1093/ptj/77.6.629