The Use of Computerized Dynamic Posturography to Assess the Balance in Individuals with Parkinson's Disease

Postural instability is one of the hallmarks of Parkinson's disease (PD), currently evaluated using several subjective tools. However, the nature and degree of the resulting balance deficit is not well specified by these tools. Computerized dynamic posturography (CDP) provides an objective assessment by isolating and quantifying sensory and motor contributions to balance control. The purpose of this study was to compare balance in individuals with PD to a control group using CDP (NeuroCom Smart Balance Master® system). Testing took place at the Southeast Parkinson's disease Research Education and Clinical Center (PADRECC), an interdisciplinary center of excellence for people with PD within a Veterans Affairs Medical Center. The 51 PD patients (mean age = 72.18 ± 6.98 years;) were compared to 55 age-matched controls supplied by the CDP manufacturer. Subjects were assessed with three test scales defined by the Smart Balance Master® system: Sensory Organization Test (SOT), Adaptation Test (ADT), and Limits of Stability Test (LOS). All PD population CDP scores were significantly different (a=0.05) than those of a healthy population, except for the SOT Somatosensory subscale (p=0.28), LOS Directional Control subscale (p=0.08), ADT Toes Up subscale (p=0.16) and ADT Toes Down subscale (p=0.23). The Smart Balance Master® system's LOS Movement Velocity, Endpoint Excursion, Maximum Excursion, and Reaction Time subscores and the SOT Composite, Visual, and Vestibular subscores uniquely describe the varying symptoms of the disease. These disease specific abnormalities may provide insight into focused treatment intervention strategies.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Biomedical Engineering

Year dc:date.available

2005

Author dc:creator

• McGuirk, Theresa Erin

Contributors dc:contributor

• Dr. Peter S. Lum

• balance
• CDP
• Smart Balance Master©
• Biomedical Engineering and Bioengineering
• Engineering

Statement dc:rights

• © The Author

Identifier

https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/etd/836

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarscompass.vcu.edu:etd-1835