BACKGROUND: Inefficient central processing and integration of visual, vestibular, and somatosensory information may contribute to poor balance and diminished postural control in children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). OBJECTIVES: This pilot study examined sensorimotor performance and the sensory control of balance using a battery of clinical tests in combination with an experimental laboratory assessment that quantifies sensory subsystem use (i.e., sensory weighting) among a systematically diagnosed sample of children with FASD and children with typical development. METHODS: Using a case-control design, 10 children with FASD (8.0-15.9 years; 20% female) were compared to 10 age- and sex-matched controls on standardized clinical measures and on kinematic outcomes from the Multimodal Balance Entrainment Response system (MuMBER), a computerized laboratory assessment whereby visual, vestibular, and somatosensory input is manipulated at different frequencies during standing balance. RESULTS: Children with FASD showed poorer sensorimotor performance across clinical outcomes with significant group differences (p < .05) on parent-reported movement behaviors (Sensory Processing Measure and Movement Assessment Battery for Children-2 Checklist) and performance on the Dynamic Gait Index. Experimental kinematic outcomes yielded statistically significant group differences (p <.10) on a small proportion of somatosensory and vestibular sensory weighting fractions and postural sway velocity in response to the manipulation of sensory input. CONCLUSIONS: Preliminary findings showed small group differences in sensorimotor and sensory weighting behaviors, specifically those that rely on the integration of vestibular sensation. Differences must be examined and replicated with a larger sample of children with FASD to understand the impact on balance control and functional sensorimotor behaviors.
BACKGROUND: Inefficient central processing and integration of visual, vestibular, and somatosensory information may contribute to poor balance and diminished postural control in children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). OBJECTIVES: This pilot study examined sensorimotor performance and the sensory control of balance using a battery of clinical tests in combination with an experimental laboratory assessment that quantifies sensory subsystem use (i.e., sensory weighting) among a systematically diagnosed sample of children with FASD and children with typical development. METHODS: Using a case-control design, 10 children with FASD (8.0-15.9 years; 20% female) were compared to 10 age- and sex-matched controls on standardized clinical measures and on kinematic outcomes from the Multimodal Balance Entrainment Response system (MuMBER), a computerized laboratory assessment whereby visual, vestibular, and somatosensory input is manipulated at different frequencies during standing balance. RESULTS:Children with FASD showed poorer sensorimotor performance across clinical outcomes with significant group differences (p < .05) on parent-reported movement behaviors (Sensory Processing Measure and Movement Assessment Battery for Children-2 Checklist) and performance on the Dynamic Gait Index. Experimental kinematic outcomes yielded statistically significant group differences (p <.10) on a small proportion of somatosensory and vestibular sensory weighting fractions and postural sway velocity in response to the manipulation of sensory input. CONCLUSIONS: Preliminary findings showed small group differences in sensorimotor and sensory weighting behaviors, specifically those that rely on the integration of vestibular sensation. Differences must be examined and replicated with a larger sample of children with FASD to understand the impact on balance control and functional sensorimotor behaviors.
Authors: Paul D Connor; Paul D Sampson; Ann P Streissguth; Fred L Bookstein; Helen M Barr Journal: Neuropsychologia Date: 2005-09-08 Impact factor: 3.139
Authors: Charles W Abbott; Olga O Kozanian; Joseph Kanaan; Kara M Wendel; Kelly J Huffman Journal: Alcohol Clin Exp Res Date: 2016-01 Impact factor: 3.455
Authors: M Alejandra Infante; Eileen M Moore; Tanya T Nguyen; Nikolaos Fourligas; Sarah N Mattson; Edward P Riley Journal: Physiol Behav Date: 2014-10-23
Authors: Lisa M Savage; Polliana T Nunes; Zachary H Gursky; Katrina A Milbocker; Anna Y Klintsova Journal: Neuropsychol Rev Date: 2020-08-12 Impact factor: 7.444
Authors: Andrei A Vakhtin; Piyadasa W Kodituwakku; Christopher M Garcia; Claudia D Tesche Journal: Neuroimage Clin Date: 2015-09-18 Impact factor: 4.881