How Postural Patterns Change After a Concussion: A Spectral Analysis Approach to Postural Control in Pediatric Patients Throughout Their Recovery from Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

Background/Purpose: Persisting symptoms after mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) can significantly impact participation. Postural control (PC) plays a key role in this context, and the use of instrumented posturography was evaluated in several studies in our Concussion Clinic. Given that sensory modalities (visual, vestibular, and somatosensory) integrate into postural responses at varying speeds, spectral analysis can distinguish their individual influences. By evaluating comprehensive data from pediatric mTBI comprising acute situations, prolonged recovery periods, and rehabilitation, we aim to explore PC processes throughout recovery.

Methods: Static posturography was recorded over four different standing positions (two-legged, semi-tandem, tandem, and one-leg) with open and closed eyes, and then repeated on a foam plate to alter somatosensory feedback. After low-pass filtering at 10 Hz, spectral powers were computed in the bands from 0 to 0.1, 0.1 to 0.5, and 0.5 to 1 Hz. Groups were summarized into acute, chronic, and recovered states and compared to patients with primary headaches or hemophilia. Spectral band powers are to be compared in a repeated-measures ANOVA for the factors stance, vision, and surface with groups as covariates. Bonferroni-corrected mean comparisons were conducted upon detecting significance.

Results: Force plate data from six clinical studies with 778 measurements from 685 participants are available. Currently, demographics, postural data, as well as patient and measurement characteristics, are being analyzed; results will be presented at the congress.

Conclusion: We compare datasets from multiple clinical studies, aiming to map PC throughout the recovery trajectory after pediatric mTBI. This will allow for more personalized rehabilitation recommendations based on each patient's postural patterns. Additionally, individualized treatment plans could then target the sensory modalities particularly affected in each patient, supporting recovery.

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Artikel online veröffentlicht:
26. September 2025