Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2025 Aug 11:1-8.
doi: 10.3109/13668250.2025.2540134. Online ahead of print.

Postural control in adults with Down syndrome

Pasqualina Maria Picciotti  1   2 , Laura Macculi  3 , Roberta Anzivino  4 , Giorgia Rossi  2 , Antonella Di Paola  3 , Dario Antonio Mele  2 , Graziano Onder  3 , Angelo Carfì  3
Affiliations

Postural control in adults with Down syndrome

Pasqualina Maria Picciotti et al. J Intellect Dev Disabil. .

Abstract

Background: Adults with Down syndrome present comorbidities that may worsen with age. Although falls are common in this population, postural control hasn't been clinically studied. This study aimed to assess postural control in adults with Down syndrome using Computerized Dynamic Posturography (CDP) and evaluate the role of sensory inputs.

Method: Adults with DS (age >18 years) were recruited from outpatient clinic. Exclusion criteria included inability to cooperate or stand. Postural control was assessed with the Equitest DP system which includes the Sensory Organization Test (SOT), measuring composite equilibrium score (COMP), and sensory contributions: somatosensory (SOM), visual (VIS), and vestibular (VEST).

Results: Sixty subjects (mean age 36.6 ± 10.3 years, 48.3% male) participated. Pathological COMP scores were in 43.3%. VIS and VEST impairments in 31.7% and 55%, respectively; SOM scores were normal. In linear regression models, VIS and VEST showed associations with age.

Conclusions: Postural deficits are frequent and unrecognised in Down syndrome.

Keywords: Down syndrome; ageing; balance; dynamic posturography.

PubMed Disclaimer

LinkOut - more resources