Research article summary (published 31 May 2009):

Nonlinear analysis of sitting postural sway indicates developmental delay in infants.

Full Abstract

BACKGROUND: Upright sitting is one of the first developmental motor milestones achieved by infants, and sitting postural sway provides a window into the developing motor control system. A variety of posture sway measures can be used, but the optimal measures for infant development have not been identified. METHODS: We have collected sitting postural sway data from two groups of infants, one with typical development (n=33), and one with delayed development and either diagnosed with or at risk for cerebral palsy (n=26), when the infants had developed to the point where they could just maintain sitting for about 10s. Postural sway data was collected while infants were sitting on a force platform, and the center of pressure was analyzed using both linear and nonlinear measures. FINDINGS: Our results showed that a nonlinear measure, the largest Lyapunov exponent, was the only parameter of postural sway that revealed significant differences between infants with typical versus delayed development. The largest Lyapunov exponent was found to be higher for typically developing infants, indicating less repeated patterning in their movement coordination. INTERPRETATIONS: A nonlinear measure such as largest Lyapunov exponent may be useful as an identifier of pathology and as a yardstick for the success of therapeutic interventions.

Author information

Author/s: Deffeyes, Joan E (JE); Harbourne, Regina T (RT); Kyvelidou, Anastasia (A); Stuberg, Wayne A (WA); Stergiou, Nicholas (N);

Affiliation: Biomechanics Laboratory, University of Nebraska at Omaha, Omaha, NE, USA.

Grants: H133G040118 (Agency:PHS HHS) ; K25HD047194 (Agency:NICHD NIH HHS) ; T73MC00023 (Agency:PHS HHS)

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

Journal: Clinical biomechanics (Bristol, Avon) (Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon)), published in England. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-Aug; vol 24 (issue 7) : pp 564-70

Dates: Created 2009/07/06; Completed 2009/09/16;

PMID: 19493596, status: MEDLINE (last retrieved date: 9/16/2009)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

External Links for this article
(including full text providers, if available):

Click Electronic Full-text Provider Links to see options for finding the electronic full text links to this article. Note there may be a subscription or fee required for access to the full text. See our FAQ for information on finding FREE full text articles.

This article may also be located in paper journal collections available in many libraries. Use the Journal and Publication Information above to find the full article.

MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MeSH Headings (categories) shown below.

Algorithms Cerebral Palsy - diagnosis; physiopathology Developmental Disabilities - diagnosis; physiopathology Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted - methods Female Humans

Infant Male Movement Nonlinear Dynamics Postural Balance Posture

Note: Bold headings indicate primary MeSH headings or qualifiers.

Related articles

These are the most related articles currently in our database:

• [Early diagnosis of infantile cerebral palsy] 30 Dec 1987
• Comparison of test of infant motor performance (TIMP) item responses among children with cerebral palsy, developmental delay, and typical development. 29 Jun 2005
• Fetal heart rate patterns and neurodevelopmental outcome in very low birth weight infants. 30 Dec 2005
• Harmonic analysis of force platform data in normal and cerebral palsy gait. 30 May 2005
• General movements: A window for early identification of children at high risk for developmental disorders. 30 Jul 2004
• Quantifying spasticity in a clinical setting. 30 Dec 2006
• Kinematical measure for spastic reaching in children with cerebral palsy. 17 Jan 2005
• Prognostic value of flash visual evoked potentials in preterm infants. 30 Dec 1998
• Mechanobiological predictions of femoral anteversion in cerebral palsy. 30 Jan 2004
• Primitive reflexes and postural reactions in the neurodevelopmental examination. 29 Jun 2004

See 100+ related articles.

Related Article Map

Legend: - FREE Full text Article. - Abstract only. - Title only. More help.

See a larger map of 100+ related articles.