Vestibular-proprioceptive functions in 4 year olds: Normative and regression analyses

M. A. Short, P. J. Watson, K. Ottenbacher, C. Rogers

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

11 Scopus citations

Abstract

Normative data were obtained for 156 pre-school children's performances on measures of muscle tone, muscle co-contraction, standing balance, prone extension posture, flexion supine posture, asymmetrical tonic neck reflex, and postrotatory nystagmus. Regression analysis indicated that these combined variables accounted for only 13.5% of the variance of postrotary nystagmus of 145 4-yr-olds. However, if the data are examined only for children exhibiting nystagmus that is lower than 1 standard deviation below the mean, then these variables account for 50% of the variance of nystagmus. Prone extension posture, standing balance-eyes closed, and muscle tone account for 37% of the variance within this low-nystagmus population. These results are considered in light of the authors' previous studies demonstrating that, in learning-disabled children, vestibular-proprioceptive measures can be used clinically to predict which children will respond to sensory integration therapy with changes in postrotary nystagmus. These changes, according to sensory integration theory, reflect positive responses to therapy.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)102-109
Number of pages8
JournalAmerican Journal of Occupational Therapy
Volume37
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 1983
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Occupational Therapy

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