Analysis of postural stability in children with cerebral palsy and children with typical development: an observational study.

Abstract

To analyze and compare postural stability during static upright standing between children with cerebral palsy (CP) and age-matched peers with typical development (TD). Forty-five children with spastic CP (34 with diplegia and 11 with hemiplegia) and 45 children with TD aged 5 to 12 years were assessed using a posturography device. Postural stability was evaluated under 4 sensory conditions: eyes open and eyes closed on a firm surface; eyes open and eyes closed on a foam surface. Statistically significant differences were obtained between children with spastic diplegic CP and children with TD under all conditions involving visual and somatosensory conflicts (P < .05), but no significant differences were found between children with hemiplegic CP and children with TD. Children with spastic diplegic CP have increased postural instability under sensory conditions that involve both visual and somatosensory conflicts.