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J Am Acad Audiol 2021; 32(02): 122-136
DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1718706
Research Article

Changes in the Sensory Weighting Strategies in Balance Control Throughout Maturation in Children

Solara Sinno
1   EA 3450 DevAH, Development, Adaptation and Handicap, Faculty of Medicine, University of Lorraine, Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France
2   Laboratory for the Analysis of Posture, Equilibrium and Motor Function (LAPEM), University Hospital of Nancy, Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France
3   Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Audiology & Balance Center, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
,
Georges Dumas
1   EA 3450 DevAH, Development, Adaptation and Handicap, Faculty of Medicine, University of Lorraine, Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France
4   Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Grenoble Alpes University Hospital, Grenoble, France
,
Art Mallinson
5   Neuro-otology Unit, Department of Surgery, Vancouver General Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
,
Fadi Najem
6   Medical Audiology Sciences Program, Division of Health Professions, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
7   Department of Hearing and Speech, Al-Ahliyya Amman University, Amman, Jordan
,
Kim Smith Abouchacra
3   Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Audiology & Balance Center, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
6   Medical Audiology Sciences Program, Division of Health Professions, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
,
Lewis Nashner
8   Biomedical Business Development, Chicago, Illinois
,
Philippe Perrin
1   EA 3450 DevAH, Development, Adaptation and Handicap, Faculty of Medicine, University of Lorraine, Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France
2   Laboratory for the Analysis of Posture, Equilibrium and Motor Function (LAPEM), University Hospital of Nancy, Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France
9   Department of Pediatric Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, University Hospital of Nancy, Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France
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Abstract

Background The central nervous system integrates information from different sensory inputs (vestibular, visual, and somatosensory) to maintain balance. However, strategies for weighing sensory information change as maturation occurs.

Purpose The purpose of this study was to: (1) evaluate postural control development in a large sample of healthy children aged 5 to 17 years old, (2) analyze changes in sensory weighting strategies as maturation occurs, and (3) determine the extent to which anthropometric characteristics (height, weight, body mass index [BMI]) influence postural control.

Sample Size This study recruited 120 healthy children, equally distributed in gender and number, into four age groups (5–8 years, 9–11 years, 12–14 years, and 15–17 years) and compared them to a control group of 20 healthy adults (aged 20–25 years).

Research Design The sensory organization test (SOT) was used to assess overall balance and the use of specific sensory inputs to maintain postural control. All children underwent the six SOT conditions: (1) eyes open, surround and platform stable, (2) eyes closed, surround and platform stable, (3) eyes open, sway-referenced surround, platform stable, (4) eyes open, sway-referenced platform, (5) eyes closed, sway-referenced platform, and (6) eyes open, sway-referenced surround and platform.

Data Analysis Condition-specific equilibrium scores (ES), composite equilibrium scores (CES), and sensory analysis ratios were analyzed to determine whether the performance was related to age, gender, or specific anthropometric characteristics (height, weight, and BMI).

Results Data showed a significant age-associated improvement in ES for all 6 conditions (p < 0.05) and in CES (p = 0.001). For both genders, (1) somatosensory function was adult-like by age 5 to 8 years, (2) visual function peaked around age 12 years, and (3) vestibular function reached maturity by age 15 to 17 years (p < 0.05). A moderate positive correlation (r(140) = 0.684, p = 0.01; two-tailed) between height and CES was found and a weak positive correlation (r(140) = 0.198, p = 0.01) between height and somatosensory ratio was noted. Lower vestibular ratio scores were observed in children who had a higher BMI (p = 0.001).

Conclusion The efficient use of individual sensory system input to maintain balance does not occur at the same age. Age and gender affect the changes in sensory weighting strategies, while height and BMI influence postural control in children. These factors need to be accounted for in child assessment.

Keywords

computerized dynamic posturography - sensory organization test - children - normative data - pediatric vestibular evaluation

Presentation

Data relevant to this research paper were presented as a poster titled “Normative data of Sensory Organization Test in children between 9 and 17 years old” during the 30th American Academy of Audiology Annual Conference, in Nashville, Tennessee (April 20, 2018).




Publication History

Received: 24 September 2019

Accepted: 24 July 2020

Article published online:
09 December 2020

© 2020. American Academy of Audiology. This article is published by Thieme.

Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc.
333 Seventh Avenue, 18th Floor, New York, NY 10001, USA

 

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