Changes in trunk sway and impairment during sitting and standing in children with cerebral palsy

BACKGROUND: Poor postural control constitutes a major impairment in children with cerebral palsy (CP), compromising everyday activities such as sitting- and standing-position. PURPOSE: In this study, we measured trunk sway during sitting- and standing-position. Additionally, we assessed trunk control ability using the trunk impairment scale (TIS), trunk control measurement scale (TCMS), and sitting assessment test for children with neuromotor dysfunction (SACND), in children with CP. METHODS: Fifteen children (10 boys and 5 girls) were recruited for this study. Trunk sway was measured using a triaxial accelerometer that recorded variation in movement acceleration during quiet sitting- and standing-position. RESULTS: Anterior-posterior (AP) acceleration was significantly greater in the standing position than the sitting position (p = 0.001). Medio-lateral (ML) acceleration was significantly greater in the standing position than in the sitting position (p = 0.012). The TIS total score showed a moderate negative relationship with AP acceleration (r = -0.635, p = 0.011). The TCMS total score moderately and negatively correlated with AP acceleration (r = -0.582, p = 0.023). The SACND total score moderately and positively correlated with AP acceleration (r = 0.670, p = 0.006). CONCLUSION: Measurement of trunk sway using a triaxial accelerometer revealed a moderate correlation with trunk control test data and excellent reliability. Our findings suggest that measurement of trunk sway using a triaxial accelerometer is not time-consuming, and is simple and easy. Our approach can be applied in clinical settings to gain information on trunk control in children with CP.