A SIMPLE TECHNIQUE TO MEASURE BODY SWAY IN NORMAL SUBJECTS AND PATIENTS WITH DIZZINESS

For many years vestibular testing has relied on measurements of the ve stibulo-ocular reflex (VOR). More recently quantified assessment of ba lance, using fixed or moving force platforms and magnetometry have bee n applied to clinical research. These are objective attempts to quanti fy the vestibulospinal reflex (VSR). This study evaluates whether Sway Weigh, a simple device which measures lateral body sway, can provide an objective assessment of balance dysfunction. Forty patients with a balance disorder and 31 subjects with normal balance were tested with eyes opened and eyes closed whilst they were standing on a flat surfac e and then on an air bed. The lateral sway in patients with a balance disorder was compared to that in the normal subjects and highly signif icant differences (p<0.0001) were observed. The results also confirmed the importance of vision and proprioception in the maintenance of pos ture. The Sway Weigh balance platform is a simple and economical devic e which objectively measures balance dysfunction.