Static postural control in children with developmental dyslexia

Abstract : The present investigation tries to better understand potential association and causal relationship between phonological and postural impairment due to developmental dyslexia. The study included 50 boys with developmental dyslexia and selected on the basis of their overall reading difficulties, and 42 control boys. Body sway during a quite standing posture eye open and eye closed on a force platform were tested in the two groups of subjects that were between 10 and 13 years of age. Analysis of classical parameters quantifying the centre of pressure (CP) displacements along antero-posterior and lateral axes showed a significant difference between the two groups. Dyslexic children showed on average greater instability, with greater length, variability and mean power frequency of CP displacements with or without vision. Our results demonstrate that postural parameters may discriminate between children with dyslexia and age-equivalent controls.