EVALUATION OF CLINICAL MEASURES OF EQUILIBRIUM

Objective: Evaluate the clinical utility of several simple measures of static and dynamic equilibrium in human subjects. In particular, one proposed clinical measure, the Clinical Test of Sensory Integration an d Balance (CTSIB) was compared with dynamic posturography for the meas urement of postural control capabilities. Study Design: Cross-sectiona l study of normal subjects and prospective observational study of the same performance measures in vestibular disorder patients. Setting: Ac ademic tertiary care referral center. Participants: Data were collecte d for all test measures from a group of normal subjects (ages, 20 to 7 9 years), as well as for a group of patients undergoing treatment for vestibular dysfunction. Results: Data suggest that several semiquantit ative clinical tests of static and dynamic equilibrium can be helpful in evaluating and monitoring patients with chronic vestibular dysfunct ion. The CTSIB results seem to correlate well with dynamic posturograp hy, suggesting that this measure may be useful in identifying patients with abnormal postural control. Formal dynamic posturography testing appears to be more sensitive in detecting abnormal postural control an d more exact in defining the specific pattern of dysfunction. Conclusi on: Simple clinical measures of static and dynamic equilibrium can rel iably distinguish vestibular disorder patients from normal subjects. D ynamic posturography continues to play an important role in the functi onal evaluation and management of vestibular disorder patients.