Static posturography with dynamic tests. Usefulness of biomechanical parameters in assessing vestibular patients

Abstract

Introduction and objective: Posturography allows evaluating postural control. This study showed the posturographic parameters that were useful for assessing the functional ability to maintain balance in our sample of vestibular patients.

Material and methods: Of a total of 89 patients, 59 were healthy subjects and 30 had a peripheral vestibular disorder. The subjects were studied using the posturographic NedSVE/IBV system, combining static (Romberg) and dynamic (stability limits and rhythmic weight shifts) tests. We then compared the measurements found in the groups.

Results: Normal subjects showed significantly lower oscillations than our patients in all of the posturographic parameters studied (except the displacement angle). In testing the limits of stability, although normal subjects achieved maximum displacements greater than the subjects with the disorder, the differences found were not significant. In rhythmic weight shift tests, normal subjects showed more favourable results than did the vestibular patients, with significant differences in 3 of the 4 parameters studied: 1) anteroposterior ability, 2) mediolateral ability, and 3) anteroposterior control and efficiency.

Conclusion: Rhythmic weight shift tests and the static posturography test parameters used were useful in discriminating among the normal and pathological subjects in this study.