title: Sitting balance and limits of stability in persons with paraplegia.
abstract: METHODS
  Cross-sectional, observational study of paraplegic and able-bodied persons.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study was to analyse the temporal and frequency domains of seated balance to better understand nervous system control in equilibrium in persons with spinal cord injury (SCI) and to explore their centre of pressure (CoP) limits before experiencing a fall.
  
  
  METHODS
  University of Valencia, Spain.
  
  
  METHODS
  Static and dynamic seated balance were assessed in 24 paraplegic persons divided into two groups: low paraplegia group (LP) and high paraplegia group (HP), and 24 healthy volunteers with an extensiometric force plate. Two types of tests were performed: a static test (ST), where data signal was analysed by temporal and frequency domains, and a stability limit test (SLT), where different stability limits were calculated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The paraplegic group revealed lower static postural control in both domains in most of the parameters analysed compared with the control group (CG). Similar results were obtained with regard to the SLT, showing differences in the three parameters analysed between the CG and SCI groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Posturographic assessment in ST was useful to explore nervous system control in equilibrium in this population, presenting a decreased balance in paraplegic groups and an altered pattern in the sensorial and cerebellum bands compared with able-bodied individuals. Furthermore, SLT indicated less movement control of the CoP in paraplegic groups, which may influence the performance of their daily activities.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiotherapy, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Serra-Añó
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pellicer-Chenoll
authors.forename: X
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Garcia-Massó
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Brizuela
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: García-Lucerga
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: González
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019370:Observation; D010264:Paraplegia / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010808:Physical Examination; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology*; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology*; D013030:Spain; D055815:Young Adult