Assessment of postural control in children with cerebral palsy: A review

Abstract

This paper aimed to review studies that assessed postural control (PC) in children with cerebral palsy (CP) and describe the methods used to investigate postural control in this population. It also intended to describe the performance of children with CP in postural control. An extensive database search was performed using the keywords: postural control, cerebral palsy, children, balance and functionality. A total of 1065 papers were identified and 25 met the inclusion criteria. The survey showed that PC is widely studied in children with CP, with reliable methods. The link between postural control and functionality was also evident. However, a lack of studies was observed assessing postural control in these children by means of scales and functional tests, as well as exploring postural control during daily functional activities. Thus research addressing these issues can be a promising field for further research on postural control.

Perspectives on Postural Control Dysfunction to Inform Future Research: A Delphi Study for Children With Cerebral Palsy

“…Health professionals were contacted from (1) the CPL and CP Alliance through the organization's representative; (2) members of the AusACPDM (nonmedical AusACPDM members, eg, lawyers or parents, were not contacted); and (3) authors of research articles about postural control who were identified in recent systematic reviews [8][9][10] and who have published contact details. Potential participants numbered approximately 711, based on the number of invitations disseminated (fig 1).…”

“…Respondents who submitted Round 1 also gave consent to participate in subsequent rounds. Round 1 contained open-ended questions constructed by the authors (box 1) based on theoretical principles of postural control and systematic reviews of postural control assessments, 8,9 interventions, 10 and approaches. 10 The questions sought responses for postural control (1) definitions; (2) framework for development, assessment, and intervention; (3) assessments; and (4) interventions for children with CP.…”

“…This analysis was reviewed and confirmed by the other authors. These items were combined with those identified in the systematic reviews [8][9][10] to form the Round 2 item list. Round 2 (week 8) and 3 (week 20 after initial mail out) were subsequently e-mailed to all Round 1 respondents (see fig 1).…”

“…Two systematic reviews of clinical 8 and laboratory-based 9 postural control assessments for children with CP (both published in 2013) identified 3 laboratory tools and 22 different clinical assessments of postural control used in this population. Results support validity and reliability of laboratory tools such as forceplates, electromyography, and kinematic analysis.…”

“…Results support validity and reliability of laboratory tools such as forceplates, electromyography, and kinematic analysis. 9 However, clinical assessment measures had limited psychometric evidence, and the psychometrics for assessment batteries that differentiate the components of postural control remain to be examined. 8 The extent to which recommended assessments have been translated into clinical practice is unknown.…”