Effects of Visual Manipulation in Sit-to-Stand Movement in Children With Cerebral Palsy

Abstract

The authors sought to verify the effects of vision on sit-to-stand (STS) movement performance by means of postural sway in children with cerebral palsy (CP) and typical children (TC). Participants were 42 TC and 21 children with CP. STS movement was assessed with eyes open and with eyes closed. Area and velocity of center of pressure sway were analyzed in each of the 3 STS phases. We observed greater postural sway during STS movement with eyes closed. Children with CP presented greater postural sway than TC did. Both groups exhibited greater postural instability with absence of vision expressing the role of vision to keep postural stability. Moreover, the greater postural instability was observed in children with CP.

Keywords: cerebral palsy; postural control; sensory; sit-to-stand movement.