Performance of postural balance in children and adolescents living with and without HIV

Abstract Research question The present study aimed to compare the postural control of children and adolescents with and without Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Methods 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. Results Concerning the evaluation of time variables, higher values ​​were observed in the HIV + group for mean anterior-posterior (AP) velocity, mean medial-lateral (ML) velocity, AP perimeter (p =  0.001), and ML perimeter (p =  0.001). Concerning the evaluation of conditions, a difference was observed in the mean AP mean sway amplitude (MSA) (p =  0.039), as the AP MSA 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 %). Conclusion The results of the present study indicated that children and adolescents living with HIV have poorer postural control performance than those without HIV.