Equilibrium Reactions in Preschoolers

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the change in equilibrium reactions in normal 3-, 4-, and 5-year-old preschoolers. The five equilibrium measures used were drawn from standardized one-legged stance tests (Ayres, 1980) and nonstandardized clinical tests of tilting and reaching (Fisher, 1984; Fisher & Bundy, 1982). The results showed that equilibrium reactions changed significantly with age, but that the tests that demonstrated the greatest change with age and/or were the best predictors of age were not consistent between the sexes. Furthermore, the results suggested that more than one measure should be included when clinically evaluating the equilibrium reactions in a preschool population.

Keywords

development evaluation balance tilt reactions

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Alsworth

M. K.

(1978). The clinical measurement of static balance abilities of preschoolers. Unpublished master's thesis, Boston University.

Ayres

A. J.

(1972). Sensory integration and learning disorders. Los Angeles: Western Psychological Services.

Ayres

A. J.

(1980). Southern California Sensory Integration Tests manual: Revised 1980. Los Angeles: Western Psychological Services.

Bobath

(1971). Abnormal postural reflex activity caused by brain lesions (2nd ed.). London: William Heinemann Medical Books.

Brigance

(1978). Brigance Diagnostic Inventory of Early Development. North Billerica, MA: Curriculum Associates.

Bruininks

(1978). Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency. Circle Pines, MN: American Guidance Services.

deQuirós

J. B.

Schrager

O. L.

(1978). Neuropsychological fundamentals in learning disabilities. San Rafael, CA: Academic Therapy.

Drowatzky

J. N.

Zuccato

F. C.

(1967). Interrelationships between selected measures of static and dynamic balance. Research Quarterly, 38, 509–510.

Dunn

(1981). A guide to testing clinical observations in kindergartners. Rockville, MD: American Occupational Therapy Association.

10.

Fiorentino

M. R.

(1981). A basis for sensorimotor development: Normal and abnormal. Springfield, IL: Charles C Thomas.

11.

Fisher

A. G.

(1984). Equilibrium: Development and clinical assessment. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, Boston University.

12.

Fisher

A. G.

Bundy

A. C.

(1982). Equilibrium reactions in normal children and boys with sensory integration dysfunction. Occupational Therapy Journal of Research, 2, 171–183.

13.

Forssberg

Nashner

(1982). Ontogenetic development of postural control in man: Adaptation to altered support and visual conditions during stance. Journal of Neuroscience, 2, 545–552.

14.

Gilfoyle

E. M.

Grady

A. P.

Moore

J. C.

(1981). Children adapt. Thorofare, NJ: Charles B. Slack.

15.

Knickerbocker

B. M.

(1980). A holistic approach to the treatment of learning disorders. Thorofare, NJ: Charles B. Slack.

16.

McCarthy

(1972). McCarthy Scales of Children's Abilities. New York: Psychological Corporation.

17.

Miller

(1982). Miller Assessment for Preschoolers. Littleton, CO: Foundation for Knowledge in Development.

18.

Radmark

(1944). Tipping reaction in cases of vertigo after head injury. Acta Oto-Laryngologica (Suppl. 52), 1–133.

19.

Simeonsson

R. J.

Cooper

D. H.

Scheiner

A. P.

(1982). A review and analysis of the effectiveness of early intervention programs. Pediatrics, 69, 635–641.

20.

Soboloff

H. R.

(1981). Early intervention—Fact or fiction? Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology, 23, 261–266.

21.

Weisz

(1938). Studies in equilibrium reactions. Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 88, 150–162.

22.

Wilson

(1978). A developmental reflex test. In Vulpé

(Ed.), Vulpé Assessment Battery (2nd ed.). Toronto: National Institute on Mental Retardation.