Motion Analysis of Postural Reactions in Normal Infants, MOHAMED A. RAFAT, KAMAL E. SHOUKRY, TAREK E. OMAR and GEHAN M. ABD EL-MAKSOUD
Abstract
Purpose: This study was conducted to describe postural reactions from sitting and standing positions through measuring the angles of neck, trunk, upper and lower limbs in normal infants at different ages using video motion analysis.
Subjects and Methods: Two hundred normal infants, who were selected from nurseries and day care centers in Alexan-dria, shared in this study. Their ages ranged from 6-18 months old. They were divided into four groups according to their ages. Group I: Their ages were ranged from 6 to 8 months old and their postural reactions were measured from sitting position. Group II: Their ages were ranged from more than 8 to 10 months old and their postural reactions were measured from sitting position. Group III: Their ages were ranged from 12 to 15 months old and their postural reactions were measured from standing position. Group IV: Their ages were ranged from more than 15 to 18 months old and their postural reactions were measured from standing position. Head righting angle, trunk righting angle, Rt. and Lt. shoulder displacement, Rt. and Lt. hip displacement for each participant were measured using Kinovea computer program three times by examiner. The gained measurements from Group I were compared with the gained measurement from Group II. The gained measure-ments from Group III were compared with the gained meas-urement from Group IV.
Results: Statistically significant differences were found between Group I and Group II regarding head righting angle, trunk righting angle, Rt. and Lt. shoulder angular displacement (p=0.0001, p=0.006, p=0.0001, p=0.001 respectively). Com-parison between Group III and Group IV showed a significant difference of Rt. and Lt. shoulder angular displacement, Rt. and Lt. hip angular displacement (p<0.05), while there was no significant difference of head righting angle and trunk righting angle between Group III and Group IV (p=0. 192, p= 0.213 respectively).
Conclusion: It can be concluded that variability of postural reactions decrease with age.