Head stability during whole body movements in spastic diplegia

Head angular stability is essential for postural control in whole body move ment. Using the opto-electronic ELITE system, we have studied head orientat ion during the movements of squatting from the standing position and straig htening-up from the squatting position in 12 children with spastic diplegia and 12 age-matched controls. Although no instruction was given regarding t he head, diplegic children consistently performed excessive neck flexion in the squatting movement and excessive hyperextension in the straightening-t ip movement, whereas normal children maintained the initial orientation thr oughout both movements. We discuss pathophysiological implications. (C) 200 0 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.