Step-Initiation Deficits in Children with Faulty Posture Diagnosed with Neurodevelopmental Disorders during Infancy

Abstract

BackgroundEarly detection of movement deficits during step initiation will facilitate the selection of the optimal physiotherapy management strategy. The main aim of the study was to assess potential differences in step initiation between 5- and 6-year-old children with faulty posture who had been diagnosed with neurodevelopmental disorders during infancy and healthy children.MethodsThe experimental group consisted of 19 children aged 5–6 years with faulty posture, who had been diagnosed with neurodevelopmental disorders during infancy and were given physiotherapy in the first year of their lives. The control group comprised 19 nursery school children aged 5–6 years with no postural defects, no history of postural control or movement deficits, and no physiotherapy interventions in the first year of their lives. Step initiation was performed on force platforms under various conditions, i.e., with and without an obstacle, stepping up onto a platform placed at a higher level, stepping down onto a platform placed on a lower level. The recording of center of foot pressure (COP) displacements was divided into three phases: phase 1 (P1)—quiet standing before step initiation, phase 2 (P2)—transit, phase 3 (P3)—quiet standing until measurement completion.ResultsThe Tukey post hoc test showed that the means of sway range (raCOP) and mean velocity (vCOP) in sagittal (AP) plane for phase 1 and vCOP in frontal (ML) plane for phase 3 registered in the step-up trial were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in children with faulty posture compared to children with typical development. P1vCOPML, P3vCOPAP, P3raCOPML, and P3vCOPMLof the step-down trial were also significantly higher in children with faulty posture (p < 0.05).ConclusionInclusion of functional movement exercises (stair-walking tasks) in physiotherapy interventions for children with postural defects seems well justified.The trial was registered in the Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (no. ACTRN12617001068358).

Efficacy of shock wave therapy and ultrasound therapy in non-insertional Achilles tendinopathy: a randomised clinical trial

“…Assessment of step initiation consisted of two trials, namely, non-perturbed and perturbed transit (with an obstacle inserted between two platforms) ( Figure 2 ). The step initiation procedure was conducted as described in a study by Stania et al ( 33 ).…”

A preliminary investigation into the impact of shock wave therapy and sonotherapy on postural control of stepping tasks in patients with Achilles tendinopathy

“…The posturographic assessment consisted of step-up and stepdown tasks. The procedure was conducted as previously described (38). Each task comprised three repetitions, based on which the means of the study variables were calculated.…”

“…The recording of center of foot pressure (COP) displacements was divided into three phases: phase 1 -quiet standing before step-up/stepdown, phase 2 -transit, and phase 3 -quiet standing until measurement completion. The recording was divided into phases using an algorithm that had already been presented by Stania et al (38).…”

Children with bilateral cerebral palsy use their hip joint to complete a step-up task

“…In pediatric clinical populations, sensitive measurements of movement quality can be captured during the initial step of stair ascent ( Stania et al, 2017 ). Individuals with and without CP spend approximately 70% of an inclined gait cycle in the stance phase ( Ma et al, 2019 ), suggesting that researchers should prioritize this phase of a step-up task.…”