Abstract
Background: Inefficient central processing and integration of visual, vestibular, and somatosensory information may contribute to poor balance and diminished postural control in children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). Objectives: This pilot study examined sensorimotor performance and the sensory control of balance using a battery of clinical tests in combination with an experimental laboratory assessment that quantifies sensory subsystem use (i.e., sensory weighting) among a systematically diagnosed sample of children with FASD and children with typical development. Methods: Using a case-control design, 10 children with FASD (8.0-15.9 years; 20% female) were compared to 10 age- and sex-matched controls on standardized clinical measures and on kinematic outcomes from the Multimodal Balance Entrainment Response system (MuMBER), a computerized laboratory assessment whereby visual, vestibular, and somatosensory input is manipulated at different frequencies during standing balance. Results: Children with FASD showed poorer sensorimotor performance across clinical outcomes with significant group differences (p <.05) on parent-reported movement behaviors (Sensory Processing Measure and Movement Assessment Battery for Children-2 Checklist) and performance on the Dynamic Gait Index. Experimental kinematic outcomes yielded statistically significant group differences (p <.10) on a small proportion of somatosensory and vestibular sensory weighting fractions and postural sway velocity in response to the manipulation of sensory input. Conclusions: Preliminary findings showed small group differences in sensorimotor and sensory weighting behaviors, specifically those that rely on the integration of vestibular sensation. Differences must be examined and replicated with a larger sample of children with FASD to understand the impact on balance control and functional sensorimotor behaviors.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | e212-e228 |
Journal | Journal of Population Therapeutics and Clinical Pharmacology |
Volume | 20 |
Issue number | 3 |
State | Published - 2013 |
Keywords
- Balance
- Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder
- Postural control
- Prenatal alcohol exposure
- Sensory weighting
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Health Policy
- Pharmacology (medical)