To longitudinally study the changes in postural control in typically developing infants during the emergence of the ability to walk independently by means of simultaneous recording of multiple surface electromyography*s and kinematics.
ID
Source
Brief title
Condition
- Congenital and peripartum neurological conditions
Synonym
Research involving
Sponsors and support
Intervention
Outcome measures
Primary outcome
Direction-specificity at neck, trunk and leg level.
Secondary outcome
Secondary muscle parameters: patterns of muscle activation, recruitment order,
latencies, anticipatory activation. Secondary kinematic parameters: head
stability, joint angle changes, kinematic parameters of reaching movements such
as movement units and reaching duration.
Background summary
Adequate postural control is required for the maintenance of balance in many
daily life activities, such as sitting, reaching, standing and walking. Results
of a former study suggested that postural control in terms of
direction-specificity (the first level of postural control; it means that
during forward body sway, the dorsal muscles are activated primarily) did not
change during the development of independent sitting. As the ultimate goal of
human postural control might be aimed towards standing and walking,
direction-specificity might rather be related to the ability to walk
independently. Literature indeed suggests that that early walking behaviour may
be associated with changes in postural control. However no study longitudinally
assessed the changes in postural control during the emergence of the ability to
walk independently.
Study objective
To longitudinally study the changes in postural control in typically developing
infants during the emergence of the ability to walk independently by means of
simultaneous recording of multiple surface electromyography*s and kinematics.
Study design
Small observational cohort study.
The infants will be assessed three times: i.e. when the infant is at the verge
of being able to walk independently, when the infant is just able to walk
independently and when the infant has mastered walking ability for a month.
During each assessment postural control will be assessed by means of surface
EMGs of neck-, trunk-, leg- and armmuscles and kinematics during reaching and
grasping (we have already substantial knowledge on postural control during this
activity) and during gait initiation (paucity of knowledge).
Study burden and risks
The infants will be assessed three times. The assessments will take place at
the infant*s home or at the UMCG. Surface EMG electrodes and small markers will
be attached to the skin of the infant. Previous studies indicated that infants
tolerate these small devices well. If the child gets tired, hungry, or starts
to cry the assessment is stopped. If the infant is already in a non-optimal
behavioural state in the phase of electrode mounting, the assessment is also
stopped. It is discussed with the parents whether it is possible to restart at
a later point in time. Parents will fill out a short questionnaire on prenatal,
perinatal and neonatal history (10 minutes). There are no risks associated with
participation. The benefit of the study in general consists of novel
information on postural control during the development of the ability to walk
independently. This information can only be obtained by studying infants.
Benefits of participation for infant and family consist of getting detailed
information on the child*s current developmental status.
Hanzeplein 1
Groningen 9713 GZ
NL
Hanzeplein 1
Groningen 9713 GZ
NL
Listed location countries
Age
Inclusion criteria
Healthy full-term infants, i.e. infants born after a gestational age of at least 37 weeks without prenatal, perinatal or neonatal complications.
At the verge of being able to stand independently. This is defined as being able to stand with the help of support, e.g., furniture, but not being able to stand independently.
Parents or legal representatives will provide written informed consent
Parents
Exclusion criteria
Admission to the paediatric department of a hospital
Severe congenital abnormalities, such as serious congenital heart disorders or a chromosomal condition
Birth weight below the tenth percentile
Neurological abnormalities
Parents have insufficient understanding of the Dutch language.
Design
Recruitment
Followed up by the following (possibly more current) registration
No registrations found.
Other (possibly less up-to-date) registrations in this register
No registrations found.
In other registers
| Register | ID |
|---|---|
| CCMO | NL51701.042.14 |