Rafaela Catherine da Silva Cunha de Medeiros
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Racquel Guimarães da Silva
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Radamés Maciel Vitor Medeiros
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Carlos Jean Damasceno de Goes
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Jason Azevedo de Medeiros
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Abstract
The present study aimed to compare the postural control of children and adolescents with and without HIV. A total of 32 children and adolescents (18 with HIV and 14 without) of both sexes, aged 6–18 years, were included in the present study. Participants in the HIV+ group were infected through vertical transmission and received antiretroviral therapy. Participants maintained an erect, bipedal posture in the following conditions: with vision, without vision, and on a foam base. Concerning the evaluation of time variables, higher values were observed in the HIV+ group for mean anteroposterior (AP) speed, mean mediolateral (ML) speed, AP perimeter (p = 0.001), and ML perimeter (p = 0.001). Concerning the evaluation of conditions, a difference was observed in the mean AP oscillation amplitude (MAO; p = 0.039), as the AP MAO was lower with vision than without vision or with foam. Concerning the evaluation of spectral domain variables, higher values were observed in the HIV+ group for the predominant ML frequency (p = 0.04) and mean AP (p = 0.001) and ML frequencies (p = 0.001). Regarding the evaluation of conditions, a difference was found only in the predominant AP frequency (p = 0.001). Higher values were found in the closed eye condition than in with foam (Δ = +103%). The results of the present study indicated that children and adolescents living with HIV have poorer postural control performance than those without HIV.