ABSTRACT
Background: Down syndrome is a genetic disorder attributed to chromosomal abnormality. Children with Down syndrome have low score on balance and agility tasks as well as on running speed, strength and visual-motor control. Pediatric clinical test of sensory interaction in balance (P-CTSIB) was used to assess which component amongst visual, vestibular and somatosensory was more involved in causing this imbalance in children. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of individual sensory component on stationary standing posture control and balance using P-CTSIB. Results: Min and max time required to perform the balance test was noted down with mean SD of max 21.03±1.28 and min 7.32±1.18. ANOVA and Students t test were used for analysing data. It was found that the measure of balance on all 6 conditions of P-CTSIB was better for boys compared to girls and is also better with increase in age. Children with Down syndrome have weak performance when only the vestibular system was available for maintaining balance and the visual and somatosensory systems were compromised. Conclusion: The findings of the present study concluded that children with Down syndrome performed better in condition1 were all the systems were available to maintain balance and the poor balance was noted in condition 6 were vestibular system was the only available sensory system for maintaining balance. Poor performance was noted at the early stage of life and was slight better as the age advanced with boys performing better than girls. Balance in children with Down syndrome is an important aspect to be considered during rehabilitation. Including the visual, vestibular and somatosensory system individually and in combination during rehabilitation will help improve the balancing skills of patients.