Contribution of Vision to Balance in Children Four to Eight Years of Age

Abstract

The use of sensory feedback for postural control develops throughout childhood. The aim of this study was to determine how children use cues from anterior-posterior optic flow for balance from 4 to 8 years of age. One hundred forty-eight children were enrolled. The subjects had yearly otologic and posturographic examinations between the ages of 4 and 8 years. Balance was assessed only if the subject had no evidence of middle ear effusion. The subject stood for 30 seconds with eyes open without optic flow and for 30 seconds while viewing 0.1, 0.25, and 0.4 Hz anterior-posterior optic flow. The center of pressure (COP) was recorded from the force platform. The root-mean-square of the COP during the periods of quiet stance and with optic flow was computed. The root-mean-square COP was significantly larger during the optic flow stimulation as compared with during quiet stance. The subjects had a significant decrease in COP during optic flow from year 5 to year 6 of life (p = .005). A change in the response to optic flow was seen from age 5 to age 6. This change is consistent with transitional changes in postural responses that have been observed during quiet standing.