The development of postural control in 6–17 old years healthy children. Part I Postural control evaluation in modified Clinical Test for The Sensory Interaction on Balance in 6–17 old year children (mctsib)

Abstract

Introduction: Proper development of postural control in children is connected with the maturation of the central nervous system, development of sensory organisation with appropriate use of proprioceptive, visual, vestibular information as well as reactions and postural strategy which allow the maintenance of balance in changeable environmental conditions. Developmental disturbances in this particular area is reflected in postural disfunctions and the assessment of these disfunctions and disturbances needs referring to normative values of the healthy population of children. Aim: Examination of postural control development in children aged 6–17 years. Material: 127 healthy children were tested (65 girls and 62 boys) aged 6–17 years. Method: Laryngological investigation, medical history interview, audiometry and tympanometry were conducted in all children. In the evaluation of postural control (mCTSIB-modified Clinical Test For The Sensory Interaction On Balance) a computer posturography system was used (Balance Master Neurocom). R esults: Further development of postural control was found in healthy children up to the age of 13 years of age. The development was not linear but showed transient characteristics with a faster development stage between the age of 6–7 and 8–9. Better postural control in girls, particularly the youngest, in comparison with boys was noticed. C onclusions: 1. The values of norm postural control in posturographic test mCTSIB in children aged 6–17 was established. In this test postural control development was completed in children before 13 year and it was not linear. 2. Due to gender differences it seems appropriate to use separate norms in order to evaluate the development of postural control in boys and girls.