Article

Children with hearing impairments have a higher risk for deficits in
balance and gross motor skills compared with children who are developing
typically. As balance is a fundamental ability for the motor development of
children, a valid and reliable assessment to identify weaknesses in balance is
crucial. The purpose of this study was to investigate the construct
validity of posturography and clinical balance tests in children with hearing
impairments and in children who are developing typically. The study
involved 53 children with typical development and 23 children with hearing
impairments who were between 6 and 12 years of age and without neuromotor or
orthopedic disorders. All participants completed 3 posturography tests (modified
Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction of Balance [mCTSIB], unilateral stance, and
tandem stance) and 4 clinical balance tests (one-leg stance with eyes open and
with eyes closed, balance beam walking, and one-leg hopping). RESULTS: Three
conditions of the mCTSIB, unilateral stance, and 2 clinical balance tests were
able to distinguish significantly between the 2 groups. Children with hearing
impairments showed more difficulties in balance tasks compared with children who
were developing typically when 1 or 2 types of sensory information were
eliminated or disturbed. The study showed only low to moderate correlations among
the different methods of evaluating balance. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical balance tests
and posturography offer different but complementary information. An assessment
protocol for balance consisting of posturography and clinical balance tasks is
proposed. Static and dynamic balance abilities could not be differentiated and
seem not to be a valid dichotomy.
- Troubles auditifs

Langue : ANGLAIS