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Tedeschi R, Labanca L, Platano D, Benedetti MG. Assessment of Balance During a Single-Limb Stance Task in Healthy Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study. Percept Mot Skills 2024:315125241277250. [PMID: 39183035 DOI: 10.1177/00315125241277250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/27/2024]
Abstract
Single-limb stance (SLS) is a demanding postural task, widely used for balance assessment in both research and clinical practice. Despite extensive data on elderly and clinical populations, less is known about younger and healthier adults. Our aim in this study was to assess balance during a SLS task among a cohort of healthy adults to determine whether there are age or sex group or testing condition differences in performances. In this cross-sectional study, we involved 120 participants aged 30-65 years and divided them into four age sub-groups with equal numbers of males and females in each. We assessed balance during a 45-s SLS task on a] the Delos Postural Proprioceptive System for both lower limbs in two conditions - open eyes (OE) and closed eyes (CE). We calculated stability (SI) and autonomy (AU) indices and used analysis of variance to determine that there was no significant effect of limb dominance or sex on balance parameters. However, there was a significant interaction effect between age group and testing condition for both SI and AU (p < .001 for both), with balance worsening as age increased only in the CE condition. These results highlight a pattern of balance decline with age when vision is eliminated from balance performance, underscoring the critical relationship between sensory input and postural control as people age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Tedeschi
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Luciana Labanca
- Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Unit, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy
| | - Daniela Platano
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Unit, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy
| | - Maria Grazia Benedetti
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Unit, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy
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2
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Bath JE, Wang DD. Unraveling the threads of stability: A review of the neurophysiology of postural control in Parkinson's disease. Neurotherapeutics 2024; 21:e00354. [PMID: 38579454 PMCID: PMC11000188 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurot.2024.e00354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 03/23/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Postural instability is a detrimental and often treatment-refractory symptom of Parkinson's disease. While many existing studies quantify the biomechanical deficits among various postural domains (static, anticipatory, and reactive) in this population, less is known regarding the neural network dysfunctions underlying these phenomena. This review will summarize current studies on the cortical and subcortical neural activities during postural responses in healthy subjects and those with Parkinson's disease. We will also review the effects of current therapies, including neuromodulation and feedback-based wearable devices, on postural instability symptoms. With recent advances in implantable devices that allow chronic, ambulatory neural data collection from patients with Parkinson's disease, combined with sensors that can quantify biomechanical measurements of postural responses, future work using these devices will enable better understanding of the neural mechanisms of postural control. Bridging this knowledge gap will be the critical first step towards developing novel neuromodulatory interventions to enhance the treatment of postural instability in Parkinson's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica E Bath
- Department of Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Science, University of California, San Francisco, USA; Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, USA
| | - Doris D Wang
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, USA.
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3
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Sozzi S, Ghai S, Schieppati M. The 'Postural Rhythm' of the Ground Reaction Force during Upright Stance and Its Conversion to Body Sway-The Effect of Vision, Support Surface and Adaptation to Repeated Trials. Brain Sci 2023; 13:978. [PMID: 37508910 PMCID: PMC10377030 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13070978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Revised: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The ground reaction force (GRF) recorded by a platform when a person stands upright lies at the interface between the neural networks controlling stance and the body sway deduced from centre of pressure (CoP) displacement. It can be decomposed into vertical (VGRF) and horizontal (HGRF) vectors. Few studies have addressed the modulation of the GRFs by the sensory conditions and their relationship with body sway. We reconsidered the features of the GRFs oscillations in healthy young subjects (n = 24) standing for 90 s, with the aim of characterising the possible effects of vision, support surface and adaptation to repeated trials, and the correspondence between HGRF and CoP time-series. We compared the frequency spectra of these variables with eyes open or closed on solid support surface (EOS, ECS) and on foam (EOF, ECF). All stance trials were repeated in a sequence of eight. Conditions were randomised across different days. The oscillations of the VGRF, HGRF and CoP differed between each other, as per the dominant frequency of their spectra (around 4 Hz, 0.8 Hz and <0.4 Hz, respectively) featuring a low-pass filter effect from VGRF to HGRF to CoP. GRF frequencies hardly changed as a function of the experimental conditions, including adaptation. CoP frequencies diminished to <0.2 Hz when vision was available on hard support surface. Amplitudes of both GRFs and CoP oscillations decreased in the order ECF > EOF > ECS ≈ EOS. Adaptation had no effect except in ECF condition. Specific rhythms of the GRFs do not transfer to the CoP frequency, whereas the magnitude of the forces acting on the ground ultimately determines body sway. The discrepancies in the time-series of the HGRF and CoP oscillations confirm that the body's oscillation mode cannot be dictated by the inverted pendulum model in any experimental conditions. The findings emphasise the robustness of the VGRF "postural rhythm" and its correspondence with the cortical theta rhythm, shed new insight on current principles of balance control and on understanding of upright stance in healthy and elderly people as well as on injury prevention and rehabilitation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Shashank Ghai
- Department of Political, Historical, Religious and Cultural Studies, Karlstad University, 65188 Karlstad, Sweden
- Centre for Societal Risk Research, Karlstad University, 65188 Karlstad, Sweden
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Ersin K, Şerbetçioğlu MB, Öztürk ŞT, Yılmaz O. The Effect of Somatosensorial System on Vestibular System. Indian J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2022; 74:4138-4143. [PMID: 36742777 PMCID: PMC9895198 DOI: 10.1007/s12070-021-02867-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the somatosensory system on the vestibular system and the interconnected ways they work together to maintain balance. The study was conducted on 54 individuals (27 females and 27 males), aged between 18-25 years. vHIT as well as cVEMP tests were used to evaluate the participants. Tests were carried out while sitting, standing on firm surface and standing on foam respectively. According to the posterior vHIT results, there was a significant difference between VOR gains obtained while sitting and standing on firm surface in right side as well as on the left side (p < 0,01). Moreover, when VOR gains in standing on firm and standing on foam results were compared to each other, statistical significance was found right and left posterior canals (p < 0,05). Concerning the results obtained from VEMP, a statistically significant difference was seen in the comparison of P1-N1 amplitudes of the right side on firm surface and standing on foam (p < 0,01). When the inputs from somatosensorial system are disturbed, the parts of the vestibular system that are primarily affected are the posterior SSC, saccule and inferior vestibular nerve. This can be interpreted as the inferior vestibular nerve being more affected than the superior vestibular nerve when posture is disturbed due to somatosensory cues being unavailable or unstable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerem Ersin
- Department of Audiology, Istanbul Medipol University, Kavacik, Beykoz, 34810 İstanbul, Turkey
| | | | - Şeyma Tuğba Öztürk
- Department of Audiology, Istanbul Medipol University, Kavacik, Beykoz, 34810 İstanbul, Turkey
| | - Oğuz Yılmaz
- Department of Audiology, Istanbul Medipol University, Kavacik, Beykoz, 34810 İstanbul, Turkey
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Yesantharao LV, Rosenberg P, Oh E, Leoutsakos J, Munro CA, Agrawal Y. Vestibular therapy to reduce falls in people with Alzheimer's disease: study protocol for a pilot randomized controlled trial. Pilot Feasibility Stud 2022; 8:167. [PMID: 35918757 PMCID: PMC9344717 DOI: 10.1186/s40814-022-01133-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Falls are highly common in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD); around two-thirds of AD patients fall annually. Fall events are major drivers of injury, early institutionalization, and shorter survival. Balance and mobility impairment are among the most important fall risk factors in AD patients. Vestibular therapy (VT) is an effective rehabilitation intervention in improving balance and fall risk through vestibular function, but not often used in AD. We want to evaluate the feasibility of using VT to reduce falls and improve balance function in patients with AD and drive use of an existing, potentially beneficial therapy in a patient population whose high level of vestibular deficits is currently unaddressed. METHODS The proposed pilot clinical trial will be a parallel-group randomized controlled trial. Patients with a diagnosis of mild-moderate AD, age ≥ 60, and the presence of a caregiver will be recruited from the Johns Hopkins Memory and Alzheimer's Treatment Center. Eligible patients will be offered vestibular testing. Patients with vestibular loss will be offered participation in the VT trial. One-hundred AD patients with vestibular loss will be enrolled and randomized 1:1 into the control and intervention arms of the trial. All patients will undergo baseline balance and cognitive assessment, followed by 8 weeks of active control therapy or VT, consisting of ~25-min office sessions with a vestibular therapist. Patients will be tracked for falls and undergo follow-up balance and cognitive assessment at 8 and 52 weeks (1 year) to assess the potential short-term and longer-term effects, respectively, of VT on balance and cognition. The main outcomes of this trial are falls, balance (using the Berg Balance Scale and the Timed Up and Go test), and cognition (using the clock drawing test, the Card Rotations test, the Money Road Map test, and the triangle completion task). DISCUSSION As the population ages and the number of individuals with AD in the US grows to a projected 14 million in 2050, managing falls in AD will continue to grow as a critical public health concern; this trial assesses feasibility of a potential solution. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrial.Gov identifier - NCT03799991 . Registered 01 August 2019.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lekha V Yesantharao
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Paul Rosenberg
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Esther Oh
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Jeannie Leoutsakos
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Cynthia A Munro
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Yuri Agrawal
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
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6
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Gabriel GA, Harris LR, Gnanasegaram JJ, Cushing SL, Gordon KA, Haycock BC, Campos JL. Age-related changes to vestibular heave and pitch perception and associations with postural control. Sci Rep 2022; 12:6426. [PMID: 35440744 PMCID: PMC9018785 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-09807-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Falls are a common cause of injury in older adults (OAs), and age-related declines across the sensory systems are associated with increased falls risk. The vestibular system is particularly important for maintaining balance and supporting safe mobility, and aging has been associated with declines in vestibular end-organ functioning. However, few studies have examined potential age-related differences in vestibular perceptual sensitivities or their association with postural stability. Here we used an adaptive-staircase procedure to measure detection and discrimination thresholds in 19 healthy OAs and 18 healthy younger adults (YAs), by presenting participants with passive heave (linear up-and-down translations) and pitch (forward-backward tilt rotations) movements on a motion-platform in the dark. We also examined participants' postural stability under various standing-balance conditions. Associations among these postural measures and vestibular perceptual thresholds were further examined. Ultimately, OAs showed larger heave and pitch detection thresholds compared to YAs, and larger perceptual thresholds were associated with greater postural sway, but only in OAs. Overall, these results suggest that vestibular perceptual sensitivity declines with older age and that such declines are associated with poorer postural stability. Future studies could consider the potential applicability of these results in the development of screening tools for falls prevention in OAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grace A Gabriel
- KITE-Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, 500 University Avenue, Toronto, ON, M5G 2A2, Canada
| | - Laurence R Harris
- Department of Psychology and Centre for Vision Research, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Joshua J Gnanasegaram
- KITE-Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Sharon L Cushing
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Archie's Cochlear Implant Laboratory, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Karen A Gordon
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Archie's Cochlear Implant Laboratory, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Bruce C Haycock
- KITE-Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada.,University of Toronto Institute for Aerospace Studies, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Jennifer L Campos
- KITE-Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada. .,Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, 500 University Avenue, Toronto, ON, M5G 2A2, Canada.
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7
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Sozzi S, Nardone A, Schieppati M. Specific Posture-Stabilising Effects of Vision and Touch Are Revealed by Distinct Changes of Body Oscillation Frequencies. Front Neurol 2021; 12:756984. [PMID: 34880823 PMCID: PMC8645986 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.756984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
We addressed postural instability during stance with eyes closed (EC) on a compliant surface in healthy young people. Spectral analysis of the centre of foot pressure oscillations was used to identify the effects of haptic information (light-touch, EC-LT), or vision (eyes open, EO), or both (EO-LT). Spectral median frequency was strongly reduced by EO and EO-LT, while spectral amplitude was reduced by all "stabilising" sensory conditions. Reduction in spectrum level by EO mainly appeared in the high-frequency range. Reduction by LT was much larger than that induced by the vision in the low-frequency range, less so in the high-frequency range. Touch and vision together produced a fall in spectral amplitude across all windows, more so in anteroposterior (AP) direction. Lowermost frequencies contributed poorly to geometric measures (sway path and area) for all sensory conditions. The same subjects participated in control experiments on a solid base of support. Median frequency and amplitude of the spectrum and geometric measures were largely smaller when standing on solid than on foam base but poorly affected by the sensory conditions. Frequency analysis but not geometric measures allowed to disclose unique tuning of the postural control mode by haptic and visual information. During standing on foam, the vision did not reduce low-frequency oscillations, while touch diminished the entire spectrum, except for the medium-high frequencies, as if sway reduction by touch would rely on rapid balance corrections. The combination of frequency analysis with sensory conditions is a promising approach to explore altered postural mechanisms and prospective interventions in subjects with central or peripheral nervous system disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefania Sozzi
- Centro Studi Attività Motorie (CSAM), Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri SB (Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, IRCCS), Pavia, Italy
| | - Antonio Nardone
- Neurorehabilitation and Spinal Unit, Department of Clinical-Surgical, Diagnostic and Pediatric Sciences, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri SB (Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, IRCCS), University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Marco Schieppati
- Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri SB, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Pavia, Italy
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Hawkins KE, Paul SS, Chiarovano E, Curthoys IS. Using virtual reality to assess vestibulo-visual interaction in people with Parkinson's disease compared to healthy controls. Exp Brain Res 2021; 239:3553-3564. [PMID: 34562106 DOI: 10.1007/s00221-021-06219-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
People with Parkinson's disease (PD) have increased visual dependency for balance and suspected vestibular dysfunction. Immersive virtual reality (VR) allows graded manipulation of visual sensory inputs during balance tasks, and hence VR coupled with portable force platforms have emerged as feasible, affordable, and validated tools for assessing sensory-motor integration of balance. This study aims to determine (i) how people with PD perform on a VR-based visual perturbation standing balance task compared to healthy controls (HC), and (ii) whether balance performance is influenced by vestibular function, when other known factors are controlled for. This prospective observational study compared the balance performance under varying sensory conditions in 40 people with mild to moderate PD with 40 age-matched HC. Vestibular function was assessed via Head Impulse Test (HIMP), cervical and ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (cVEMPs and oVEMPs) and subjective visual vertical (SVV). Regression analyses were used to determine associations between VR balance performance on firm and foam surfaces with age, group, vestibular function, and lower limb proprioception. PD failed at significantly lower levels of visual perturbation than HC on both surfaces. In PD, greater disease severity was significantly associated with lower fall thresholds on both surfaces. Multiple PD participants failed prior to visual perturbation on foam. On firm, PD had a greater visual dependency. Increasing age, impaired proprioception, impaired SVV, abnormal HIMP and cVEMP scores were associated with worse balance performance. The multivariate model containing these factors explained 29% of the variability in balance performance on both surfaces. Quantitative VR-based balance assessment is safe and feasible in PD. Balance performance on both surfaces was associated with age, HIMP abnormality and proprioception.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kim E Hawkins
- Vestibular Research Laboratory, School of Psychology, Faculty of Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
| | - Serene S Paul
- Discipline of Physiotherapy, Sydney School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Elodie Chiarovano
- Sydney Human Factors Research, School of Psychology, Faculty of Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Ian S Curthoys
- Vestibular Research Laboratory, School of Psychology, Faculty of Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
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Güngör F, Tarakci E, Özdemir-Acar Z, Soysal A. The effects of supervised versus home Pilates-based core stability training on lower extremity muscle strength and postural sway in people with multiple sclerosis. Mult Scler 2021; 28:269-279. [PMID: 33908294 DOI: 10.1177/13524585211012202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pilates-based core stability training (PBCST) is a controlled form of exercise that may improve the transmission of torque from the upper extremities and trunk to the lower extremities by enabling the core muscles to activate effectively. OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of PBCST given as supervised or home-based on lower extremity strength and postural control in multiple sclerosis. METHODS Fifty individuals were enrolled and randomly allocated into two groups. Primary outcome measures were knee muscle strength and postural sway in different conditions. The supervised group received PBCST 2 days per week for 8 weeks at the clinic, and the other group performed PBCST at home. Exercises were progressed every 2 weeks in both groups. RESULTS Between groups, the supervised group was mostly superior to the home group (p < 0.05). A significant improvement was noted in all parameters in both groups, except some sub-parameters of postural sway in home PBCST (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Supervised PBCST was determined to be more effective than home PBCST in improving strength, postural control, core stability, physical capacity, and fatigue. Although supervised training is the primary choice, home training can be recommended to patients who have limitations attending supervised sessions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feray Güngör
- Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, İstanbul, Turkey
| | - Ela Tarakci
- Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, İstanbul, Turkey
| | - Zeynep Özdemir-Acar
- Neurology Department, Bakırköy Mazhar Osman Mental Health and Neurological Diseases Education and Research Hospital, İstanbul, Turkey
| | - Aysun Soysal
- Neurology Department, Bakırköy Mazhar Osman Mental Health and Neurological Diseases Education and Research Hospital, İstanbul, Turkey
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Wagner AR, Akinsola O, Chaudhari AMW, Bigelow KE, Merfeld DM. Measuring Vestibular Contributions to Age-Related Balance Impairment: A Review. Front Neurol 2021; 12:635305. [PMID: 33633678 PMCID: PMC7900546 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.635305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Aging is associated with progressive declines in both the vestibular and human balance systems. While vestibular lesions certainly contribute to imbalance, the specific contributions of age-related vestibular declines to age-related balance impairment is poorly understood. This gap in knowledge results from the absence of a standardized method for measuring age-related changes to the vestibular balance pathways. The purpose of this manuscript is to provide an overview of the existing body of literature as it pertains to the methods currently used to infer vestibular contributions to age-related imbalance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew R. Wagner
- School of Health and Rehabilitation Science, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
- Department of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Olaoluwa Akinsola
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Ajit M. W. Chaudhari
- School of Health and Rehabilitation Science, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Kimberly E. Bigelow
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Dayton, Dayton, OH, United States
| | - Daniel M. Merfeld
- School of Health and Rehabilitation Science, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
- Department of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
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11
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Hill MW, Duncan MJ, Price MJ. The emergence of age-related deterioration in dynamic, but not quiet standing balance abilities among healthy middle-aged adults. Exp Gerontol 2020; 140:111076. [DOI: 10.1016/j.exger.2020.111076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2020] [Revised: 08/24/2020] [Accepted: 08/26/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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12
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Impact of visual signals on axial segmental control during walking in patients with vestibular disorder and healthy persons. J Biomech 2020; 104:109712. [PMID: 32164963 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2020.109712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2019] [Revised: 01/17/2020] [Accepted: 02/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Head and trunk control during standing in patients with vestibular disorder may depend on intact visual signal to override vestibular disturbance. It is unknown if such process during walking would change. Therefore, the aims of this study were to quantify (1) head and trunk control in healthy participants (HPs) and patients with unilateral vestibular hypofunction (UVH) during walking with and without visual manipulation; and (2) the correlation/association between vestibular function and head/trunk control during walking with visual manipulation in patients. Seventeen UVH patients and 15 HPs completed all the tests. They participated in the caloric test, which was used to examine vestibular function, and walked on a treadmill with and without visual manipulation. Head and trunk angular displacement and velocity were primary outcome measures, deviation of center of mass and step variability were secondary. Head roll angular displacement (7.38° ± 1.38 [mean ± SE] v.s. 12.95° ± 1.48, p = 0.004) and head-trunk correlation (in the pitch/sagittal plane: 0.22 ± 0.05 v.s. 0.38 ± 0.05, roll/frontal plane: 0.35 ± 0.06 v.s. 0.55 ± 0.06, p < 0.05) were significantly lower in patients compared to HPs. Head pitch angular velocity (8.58°/s ± 2.17 v.s. 14.23°/s ± 1.22, p = 0.026) and step width variability (0.075 ± 0.010 v.s. 0.083 ± 0.009, p = 0.04) increased with visual manipulation only in patients. No significant correlation/association was found between vestibular function and head/trunk control. Lower head-trunk correlation in patients suggests an independent head-trunk control strategy in response to vestibular impairment. Visual input could be used by patients to compensate for vestibular disturbance for head control and foot placement. Severe UVH may not lead to worse postural control compared to mild disorder.
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Screening for Vestibular Disorders Using the Modified Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction and Balance and Tandem Walking With Eyes Closed. Otol Neurotol 2020; 40:658-665. [PMID: 31083095 DOI: 10.1097/mao.0000000000002173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Determine accurate cut-points and optimal combinations of screening tests of balance to detect patients with vestibular disorders. STUDY DESIGN Case-control study. SETTING Out-patient tertiary care. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Community-dwelling adults, without known neurological deficits or significant musculoskeletal disorders, including patients with vestibular disorders and healthy controls without vestibular disorders were tested while standing on medium density compliant foam with feet together and eyes closed under three head movement conditions, head stationary, and head moving in yaw and pitch at 0.33 Hz, for up to 30 seconds per trial. Dependent measures were trial duration, number of head movements during head movement trials, trunk kinematic measures, and number of correct tandem steps during tandem walking trials. RESULTS Receiver operator characteristics (ROC), sensitivity and specificity, and specific cut-points were calculated. Individual tests had moderate ROC values, from 0.67 to 0.84. ROC values were higher in the head moving trials than the head stationary trial and best for subjects aged 40 to 79. Using combined analyses of two or more tests, including published data on tandem walking, ROC values were higher, 0.80 to 0.90. Age- and sex-related performance differences were found. CONCLUSION Balance skills in standing and walking differ, so testing both skills is optimal and increases the likelihood of finding a deficit. Patients should be compared to age-appropriate norms. Kinematics and number of head movements were not very useful. This combined set of rapid, low-tech balance tests is useful in an initial approach to screening patients who may have vestibular disorders.
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Khademolhosseini Y, Pirouzi S, Ghanbari A, Arabzadeh S, Rezaei I. Head and neck extension more than 30° may disturb standing balance in healthy older adults. Geriatr Nurs 2020; 41:490-495. [PMID: 32145993 DOI: 10.1016/j.gerinurse.2020.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2019] [Revised: 02/10/2020] [Accepted: 02/12/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Although there is clinical evidence of postural instability at extreme angles of head extension, the effects of lower angles on balance have been not investigated. This study aimed to investigate the effects of different head and neck extension angles on standing balance in older adults, and to determine the critical angle of instability. Twenty-eight healthy older adults were tested at 0°, 20°, 30° and 40° head and neck extension. The center of pressure (COP) parameters were recorded with a force plate. Significant differences were observed between 30° and 40° compared to 0° in anteroposterior and mediolateral COP displacement and total COP velocity, and between 40° and 0° in mediolateral COP velocity. Head and neck extension at 30° was the critical angle associated with the appearance of instability, and this value should be considered in the ergonomic design of work and living spaces, exercise programming and daily activities in older adults.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Soraya Pirouzi
- Physical Therapy Department, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran; Rehabilitation Sciences Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Ali Ghanbari
- Physical Therapy Department, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran; Rehabilitation Sciences Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Soudeh Arabzadeh
- Student Research Committee, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Iman Rezaei
- Physical Therapy Department, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran; Rehabilitation Sciences Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
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Cohen HS. A review on screening tests for vestibular disorders. J Neurophysiol 2019; 122:81-92. [PMID: 30995137 PMCID: PMC6689777 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00819.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2018] [Revised: 04/12/2019] [Accepted: 04/13/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Although many studies have reported on tests of the vestibular system a valid and reliable, evidence-based screening battery for easy clinical use remains elusive. Many screening tests attempt to assess the vestibulo-ocular reflex. Therefore, head shaking, the Dix-Hallpike maneuver, the supine roll test, and head impulse tests are discussed. Other tests address the spatial orientation functions of the vestibular system, such as the Bucket Test and the Fukuda Stepping test. Still, other tests are based on the known correlates with balance skills, both static and dynamic, such as tandem walking and the modern variation of the Romberg test, the modified Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction and Balance. This review provides a critical overview of the literature on some of these tests and their value for clinical use and in epidemiological studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen S Cohen
- Bobby R. Alford Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine , Houston, Texas
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