Postural Control, Balance Reactions, and Functional Activities Flashcards
3 parts of pediatric intervention
Preparation
Impairment-based activity integrated into play
Goal related - Functional activity
*** All based on an activity that is meaningful to the child
Postural Orientation
Ability to maintain an appropriate relationship between body segments and between the body and the environment for a functional task
Postural stability/balance
ability to maintain the projected center of mass within the limits of the base of support
What 3 things does “postural activity” include
- motor
- sensory
- musculoskeletal
Perception
integration of sensory information to assess the position and motion of the body in space
Action
ability to generate forces for controlling body position systems
What are two requirements for postural control
perception and action
Balance Reactions
- Righting (tilting) reactions
- Protective extension reactions
- Equilibrium reactions (equilibrium has rotation component)
General Guidelines to Address Poor Sitting Posture and Decreased Postural Control in Sitting
Address primary impairments through increasing flexibility, strengthening, facilitation, and task specific techniques
Progress from static to dynamic sitting posture
When incorporating movement in sitting, progress from sagittal, coronal, and transverse plane trunk movements
Introduce alternate sitting positions
Change the sitting surface
Adapt chairs, etc. to accommodate deformities while providing support and promoting function
What are some causes sacral sitting?
Hip extensor spasticity
Hamstring shortening
Weak/Hypotonic trunk muscles
Compensatory Pelvic Tilt
What are some causes of W-sitting?
Trunk weakness
Decreased ROM
Poor Balance
Increase extensor tone of LE
What can cause a narrow base of support?
abnormal muscle tone in hip adductors and hamstring mm
Decreased hip joint mobility into hip ER
Hamstring muscle tightness
What can cause asymmetry?
Abnormal muscle tone
Muscle imbalance
Pathological reflexes
