TY - JOUR
T1 - Testing of vibratory thresholds as a clinical examination for patients with unsteadiness due to somatosensory disorders
AU - Ushio, Munetaka
AU - Murofushi, Toshihisa
AU - Chihara, Yasuhiro
AU - Iwasaki, Shinichi
AU - Yamaguchi, Takuhiro
AU - Kaga, Kimitaka
PY - 2008/11
Y1 - 2008/11
N2 - The somatosensory system is an important component for balance control. Disorders of this system are characterized by postural unsteadiness and could be assessed by vibratory sensation. However, the measurement of vibratory thresholds (VTs) has been rarely employed as a clinical test for patients with unsteadiness. This study aimed to evaluate the difference in vibratory thresholds between patients with somatosensory disorders and healthy volunteers, and to provide a means for evaluating somatosensory disorders in patients with balance problems. Using a vibrometer and a force-measuring platform, VTs and postural balance in 108 healthy volunteers (age, 17-79) and 19 patients with somatosensory disorders (age, 60-79) were examined. VTs of the plantar surface, as well as total length of the path and envelope area (ENV) of posturograms, in patients with somatosensory disorders were significantly larger than those in healthy volunteers. Regression analyses showed that VTs ≥ 28 dB (peak-to-peak amplitude, 24 μm) of the plantar surface at 125 Hz and ENV ≥ 10 cm2 were significant indices for unsteadiness due to somatosensory disorders. VT testing of the plantar surface as well as posturography appears to be useful as a clinical examination for patients with unsteadiness.
AB - The somatosensory system is an important component for balance control. Disorders of this system are characterized by postural unsteadiness and could be assessed by vibratory sensation. However, the measurement of vibratory thresholds (VTs) has been rarely employed as a clinical test for patients with unsteadiness. This study aimed to evaluate the difference in vibratory thresholds between patients with somatosensory disorders and healthy volunteers, and to provide a means for evaluating somatosensory disorders in patients with balance problems. Using a vibrometer and a force-measuring platform, VTs and postural balance in 108 healthy volunteers (age, 17-79) and 19 patients with somatosensory disorders (age, 60-79) were examined. VTs of the plantar surface, as well as total length of the path and envelope area (ENV) of posturograms, in patients with somatosensory disorders were significantly larger than those in healthy volunteers. Regression analyses showed that VTs ≥ 28 dB (peak-to-peak amplitude, 24 μm) of the plantar surface at 125 Hz and ENV ≥ 10 cm2 were significant indices for unsteadiness due to somatosensory disorders. VT testing of the plantar surface as well as posturography appears to be useful as a clinical examination for patients with unsteadiness.
KW - Plantar surface
KW - Posturography
KW - Somatosensory disorders
KW - Unsteadiness
KW - Vibrometer
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=52049120369&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=52049120369&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2008.03.010
DO - 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2008.03.010
M3 - Article
C2 - 18456498
AN - SCOPUS:52049120369
VL - 28
SP - 552
EP - 558
JO - Gait and Posture
JF - Gait and Posture
SN - 0966-6362
IS - 4
ER -