BALANCED GROWTH: The Involvement of the Vestibular System in a Child's Cognitive and Motor Development

Launched by UNIVERSITY GHENT · Dec 21, 2020

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The BALANCED GROWTH clinical trial is studying how issues with the vestibular system, which helps us maintain balance, might affect a child's development in terms of thinking and movement skills. Researchers want to understand how vestibular problems, especially those occurring at birth or early in life, can lead to delays in a child's ability to move and learn as they grow. They are particularly interested in school-aged children, including those with vestibular impairments and neurodevelopmental disorders like Autism Spectrum Disorder and ADHD.

The study is looking for participants aged 2 to 12 years. Typically developing children are eligible, but those with permanent hearing loss, significant vestibular issues, motor dysfunction, or an IQ below 70 cannot take part. For children already diagnosed with vestibular impairments, they must have had recent testing at Ghent University Hospital. Participants will have the chance to contribute to important research that may help improve understanding and support for children facing these challenges.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• • For typically developing children
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Having a (permanent) hearing loss
• • Having a (permanent) vestibular loss
• • Having a motor dysfunction
• • IQ \< 70
• • For vestibular-impaired children
• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Recently (\< 6 months) tested at the Ghent University Hospital
• • Diagnosed with a vestibular impairment (= alteration on at least one of the vestibular function tests: caloric, rotatory chair, vHIT, cVEMP and/or oVEMP test)
• • For neurodevelopmental group
• Inclusion Criteria:
• • • Diagnosed by a (neuro)psychiatric team with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Attention deficit/Hyperactivitiy Disorder and/or Developmental Coordination Disorder