Gut-brain axis exploration: stabilometric platform performances in children affected by functional gastrointestinal disorders

Objective: The pathophysiology of functional gastrointestinal diseases (FGIDs) is associated with dysfunction at various levels of the Gut-Brain Axis. Hypervigilance can result in an increased tendency to report pain. In this study, we aimed to explore if hypervigilance can influence attentional processing in postural control in children with FGIDs. Methods: 59 participants classified into healthy subjects (Hs), those with FGIDs, and those with organic diseases (Org) based on Rome IV criteria were enrolled. Postural control under six sensory conditions was evaluated using a stabilometric platform. The mean velocity of the Center of Pressure (CoP) displacement in the anteroposterior direction and the mediolateral direction, the length of the CoP trajectory, and the sway area were also measured. Results: With visual and somatosensorial normal inputs, participants with FGIDs showed a higher number of antero-posterior (FGIDs: 4(IQR 3-7), Cntl 3(IQR 3-4), p < 0.05) latero-lateral oscillations (FGIDs: 3(IQR 3-6), Cntl 3(IQR 2-3), p < 0.05) and a higher perimeter value (FGIDs: 148(IQR 121-240), Cntl 124(IQR 111-140), p = 0.056) compared to healthy subjects. With normal visual but altered somatosensorial input, subjects with FGIDs showed higher values of all parameters (antero-posterior: FGIDs 6(IQR 5-8), Cntl and Org 5(IQR 4-6), p < 0.05; latero-lateral FGIDs 6(IQR 4-8), Cntl 4(IQR 4-5), Org 4(IQR 3-5) p < 0.05; perimeter FGIDs 253(IQR 167-305), Cntl 185(IQR 161-217), Org 176(IQR 142-219) p < 0.05; area FGIDs 98(IQR 81-233), Cntl 86(IQR 59-114), Org 56(IQR 41-97) p < 0.05). Conclusions: The higher number of oscillations in subjects with FGIDs who had normal visual input could be expression of alteration in attention and therefore hypervigilance as hypothesized in the context of gut-brain axis alterations.