Deficits in recovery of postural stability after stepping are limb- and phase-specific in children with unilateral cerebral palsy.
Katelyn S Campbell, Sydni V W Whitten, Karl M Newell and 4 others
PMID 39405655WHAT IT FOUND
Children with unilateral CP show significant postural instability when stepping, especially side-to-side movement with their more-affected leg.
They recover stability more slowly and with less automaticity than peers. This specific dynamic weakness may increase fall risk during daily activities.
Key findings
01Children with unilateral CP exhibited lower mediolateral COP sample entropy than controls during the dynamic and static phases of step recovery, indicating less automaticity in postural control.
02Children with unilateral CP showed greater center of pressure distance than controls during the dynamic phase of step recovery in both anteroposterior and mediolateral directions.
03Postural control deficits in children with unilateral CP were most apparent in the mediolateral direction during the dynamic phase in the more-affected stepping limb, with large effect sizes.
STILL TO COME
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What it does not show
The sample size was modest, preventing analysis of how age, sex, or race might influence postural outcomes. The study only included children who could walk without assistance (GMFCS level I-II), so results may not apply to children with more severe mobility limitations. The study did not assess whether these specific postural deficits predict actual fall rates in daily life.
Declared interests
The authors declared no conflicts of interest. The study was supported by the National Institutes of Health.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume that all children with unilateral CP have difficulty recovering postural stability after a step. This study only included children who could walk without assistance (GMFCS level I-II). Findings may not apply to children with more severe mobility impairments.