Biomechanical reference standards for early diagnosis of disturbances of balance: pilot study

Abstract

The posture instability and body balance alteration, are signs commonly observed in patients with diseases associated with the musculoskeletal, visual, vestibular and proprioceptive systems, being the stabilometry the main clinical assessment study. However, it has not been established a standard or a quantitative pattern to classify healthy and pathological subjects based on the impaired balance level. Objective: The main objective of this study was to conduct a preliminary stabilometric analysis in 38 healthy subjects (19 women and 19 men) in order to identify a characteristic pattern of the position displacement. Methodology: This study was based on the Rombergś test. Three measurements were performed to each patient with open eyes (OA) and closed eyes (OC) stand over a force platform. Results: A characteristic pattern of the medio-lateral X and anteroposterior Y movement was identified, and remarkable stability on the vertical axis Z around the center of pressure. Limitations: However, because of the small sample size there was not found conclusive results related to Body-Mass-Index, sex or age. Originality: Despite promising parameters were found for the evaluation of stabilometry in healthy young people, strengthening the objective tools of clinical assessment. Conclusion: This research identified common patient characteristics of normal movement, that could be considered as an objective standard for patient monitoring and treatment evaluation in patients with pathological balance disorders.