Exploring the Comparability of the Sensory Organization Test and the Pediatric Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction for Balance in Children

Abstract

Background and Purpose: The Sensory Organization Test (SOT) and the Pediatric Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction for Balance (PCTSIB) quantify the ability to maintain balance in the presence of sensory conflicts. The purposes were to explore the concurrent validity of these two assessments by comparing the performance of healthy children on the tests and examine the relationship between age and assessment performances thereby exploring the construct validity of the measures. Subjects: Sixteen healthy children (9.8 ± 3.5 yr.). Methods: Children were assessed with both tools during a single session. Results: Only three conditions of the SOT were related to the corresponding PCTSIB conditions: eyes closed in tandem and single leg stance (SLS), and altered vision in SLS. None of the conditions involving altered support surfaces were related. All SOT conditions and four PCTSIB conditions in SLS, were significantly related to age as well as one condition in tandem. Discussion and Conclusion: Although both tests are associated with age, they do not measure sensory organization abilities in the same manner. As such, they each provide different and complementary information about healthy children's ability to maintain balance.

Key Words:

• Balance
• children
• adolescents
• sensory organization

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Isabelle Gagnon

Michael Lepp, PT, is in private practice, Associate Instructor of the Upledger Institute, and Clinical Instructor, Case Western Reserve University School of Dentistry, Cleveland, OH.

Marie McKenzie, MS, OTR, is in private practice. She was Coordinator of Occupational Therapy at Scottish Rite Hospital at the time of this study.

Heather Miller, MS, OTR/L, is currently employed by Madison County Educational Service Center, providing therapy services to the county's pre-schools. This research was completed in partial fulfillment of the requirements of an MS degree at Ohio State University.

Linda Viscardis, BA, is Team Leader and Community Development Worker, Peterborough Family Enrichment Centre. She is Co-Founder of P.R.O.S.P.E.C.T.S., a support and advocacy group for families who have children with special needs.

Debra Stewart, BSc, OT(C), is Occupational Therapist, Erinoak, Serving Young People with Physical Disabilities, Mississauga, ON, and Clinical Lecturer, School of Rehabilitation Science, McMaster University.

Janette McDougall, MA, was Project Coordinator

Kip Husted, BEd, was a parent representative on the study team.

Aviva Yochman, MA, OTR, was a student in the School of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel at the time of this study.

Imelda Burgman, MA OTR/L BCP, completed her MA in Movement Sciences at Teachers College, Columbia University, and was an Occupational Therapist at The Shield Institute, Bronx, NY. She is currently Lecturer, Habilitation, School of Community Health, Faculty of Health Studies, Charles Sturt University, Albury, N.S.W., Australia.

Barbara J. Steva, OTWL, BCP, is Occupational Therapist, University of New England Community Occupational Therapy Clinic, Saco, ME. She was Director of Occupational Therapy and Therapeutic Recreation, Franciscan Children's Hospital and Rehabilitation Center, Boston, MA, when this work was completed.

Mary-Ann L. Fulks, MSc, OT(C), is Occupational Therapist, Vancouver Community Mental Health Service and Clinical Assistant Professor, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of British Columbia. This study was completed in partial fulfillment of a Master of Science degree.

Laura Zawacki, MS, PT, PCS, currently practices Pediatric Physical Therapy in the Chicago metropolitan area.

Judy T. Jennings holds a Certificate in PT and an MA in Special Education and has 25 years of experience as a PT working with children from infancy to high school.

Nicholas S. Payne, PhD, recently retired from 40 years of experience in statistics and data analysis at Proctor & Gamble, Cincinnati, OH. He was recently Research Fellow in Data Analysis, clarifying the needs of mothers and babies.

At the time of this study, Marianne Kratochvil, MA, was a social worker at the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital, Edmonton, Alberta. She has since retired.