Abstract

Ear infections in children often cause abnormal postural stability during the acute phase of the ear infection. However, the long-term effects of recurrent ear infections on postural stability have not been investigated. Postural stability is the foundation of many motor skills in early child development. Therefore, it is important to evaluate and treat postural instability problems in early childhood. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of multiple ear infections on pediatric postural stability and visual over-reliance and to determine if computerized and non-computerized measurement tools could identify lasting postural instability in children with multiple ear infections and/or tympanostomy tubes prior to age five. Forty children aged 10-12 years were divided into two groups (18 participants with history of tympanostomy tubes and/or 3 or more ear infections prior to age five and 22 participants without history of tympanostomy tubes and/or 0-2 ear infections prior to age five). Computerized and non-computerized postural stability was measured for all participants.

Postural stability was significantly worse in participants with history of tympanostomy tubes and/or 3 or more ear infections had decreased postural stability scores. In Conclusion results suggest that children ages 10-12 with history of tympanostomy tubes and/or 3 or more ear infections prior to age five have decreased postural stability. Both postural stability measures detected lasting effects of postural instability in children ages 10-12.

LLU Discipline

Physical Therapy

Department

Physical Therapy

School

School of Allied Health Professions

First Advisor

Eric Johnson

Second Advisor

Noha Daher

Third Advisor

Rhonda Nelson

Degree Name

Doctor of Science (DSc)

Degree Level

D.Sc.

Year Degree Awarded

2020

Date (Title Page)

12-2019

Language

English

Library of Congress/MESH Subject Headings

Movement Disorders; Middle Ear Ventilation; Otitis; Child Development

Subject - Local

Ear infections, postural stability, tympanostomy tubes, vestibular system, balance

Type

Dissertation

Page Count

xii, 73 p.

Digital Format

PDF

Digital Publisher

Loma Linda University Libraries

Usage Rights

This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has granted Loma Linda University a limited, non-exclusive right to make this publication available to the public. The author retains all other copyrights.

Collection

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Collection Website

http://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/

Repository

Loma Linda University. Del E. Webb Memorial Library. University Archives

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