Maturational effects of the vestibular system: A study of rotary chair, computerized dynamic posturography, and vestibular evoked myogenic potentials with children

Maturational effects were investigated in two age groups (N = 30 per group) of children with normal hearing sensitivity, using rotary chair (RC), computerized dynamic posturography (CDP), and vestibular evoked myogenic potential (VEMP) measures. Children recruited within the younger group were three through six years of age, and children within the older group were nine through eleven years of age. Data obtained for each pediatric group were compared with clinic and/or published adult normative data for each measure. Significant age effects were seen on many CDP subtests (sensory organization test and motor control test); VEMP latencies; and RC gain, phase, and step velocity measures. The results of this study demonstrate significant maturational effects from preschool age through adulthood and suggest that adult normative data may not be appropriate when interpreting pediatric test results. Since adult techniques should oftentimes not be utilized, a proposed test battery is described that may be efficiently utilized with pediatric patients.