Sort-term adaptations on bilateral body weight-bearing symmetry and postural control through the application of rotary prisms in healthy children

Abstract

Background: Motor-control is organized by coordinated sensory systems which integrate for the preparation of movement. Certain visuoperceptive disorders may impair proper development of motor control during childhood, thereby impacting functional aspects like bilateral weight-bearing symmetry. Rotary prisms (RPs) are a rehabilitation modality that have shown promise in facilitating motor-control and spatial-realignment for adults, improving weight-bearing symmetry, often evaluated by indexes like the normalized symmetry index (NSI%). However, less is known for the short-term effect of RPs on NSI% and consequent effects on functional capacity in healthy children. Methods: We evaluated the acute and short-term chronic effect of RPs in fourteen healthy children (8.8±1.1 years) on NSI% and the total execution time (s) of a dynamic balance sit-to-stand task (SITS). Measurements were performed at baseline, immediately following RP application (immediate phase) and 10 min following RP removal (spatial re-alignment). Results: We detected an overall main effect of time on NSI% (F=15.1, p<0.001, η2=.54), improving both immediate (-67.3%, 3.4±4.46%, p<0.001) and spatial re-alignment phases (-55.3%, 5.2±4.3%, p<0.001) compared to baseline (9.7±1.9 %). Moreover, no significant differences for NSI% between immediate and spatial re-alignment phases were detected (p>0.05). However, TUT of the SITS task remained unaffected (F=1.13, p>0.05). Conclusions: Non-significant differences for NSI% between immediate and spatial re-alignment phases indicate that short-term neural adaptations may persist following the removal of RPs in healthy children. Indicating the potential suitability of RPs in neurorehabilitation for children with balance impairments, such as pre-existing sensory motor dysfunctions and others.