Article

Objective: To determine the effectiveness of vestibular-specific neuromuscular
training on motor skills, balance and health-related quality of life in children
with hearing impairment.
Design: Controlled, randomized, preliminary study.
Setting: Rehabilitation school for children with hearing impairment. Subjects and
intervention: Twenty-three children with mean age of 7.5-8.1 years with hearing
impairment were randomized to either the intervention or the control group.
Children in the experimental group (n = 11) participated in vestibular-specific
neuromuscular training for six weeks and the children in the control group
continued their regular activities followed at school. Outcome measures:
Measurement of motor skills (Test of Gross Motor Development-2), postural control
(Pediatric Reach Test, One Leg Standing Balance Test and postural sway meter) and
health-related quality of life (PedsQL Generic Core Scale). Results: Following
intervention, the scores of motor skills (Test of Gross Motor Development P =
0.02; throw for distance P = 0.042; kick for distance P = 0.08; jump for distance
P = 0.001; 15-yard dash P = 0.001), postural control measures (Pediatric Reach
Test P = 0.001; One Leg Standing Test P = 0.03; and anteroposterior sway (eyes
open P = 0.007, eyes closed P = 0.03); mediolateral sway (eyes open P = 0.014,
eyes closed P = 0.017) and health-related quality of life (P = 0.01) improved
significantly in the experimental group and not in the control group. Conclusion:
The findings of the study suggest that vestibular-specific neuromuscular training
programme may improve the motor skills, balance and health-related quality of life in children with hearing impairment.
Enfant

Langue : ANGLAIS