Banca de DEFESA: ANA CLARA TEIXEIRA FERNANDES

Posturographic evaluation of postural balance in individuals with and without vestibular dysfunction

Vestibular diseases. Postural balance. Dizziness. Vertigo.

Purpose: To compare the parameters of postural balance in different sensory conditions of individuals without and with vestibular dysfunction submitted to posturographic evaluation. Method: This is a cross-sectional and analytical study. Individuals aged 40 to 79 years, distributed in Group 1 (G1) - complaining of dizziness and/or postural imbalance and diagnosed with vestibular dysfunction, and Group 2 (G2) without the above-mentioned complaints and vestibular diagnosis were included. Sociodemographic, clinical-functional data (International Physical Activity Questionnaire; Vestibular Disorders Activities of Daily Living Scale), and the parameters ratio of The Confidence/Stability Limit Elipse (CE/SL), Anteroposterior Speed (APS) and Mid-lateral Speed (MLS) through the posturographic examination composed of seven tests: C1 and C2 (eyes open and closed on firm surface); C3 and C4 (eyes open and closed); C5, C6 and C7 (optokinetic visual stimulus for right and left, and tunnel), these on unstable surface. For data analysis, the tests used were Student's t or Mann-Whitney. Results: the sample consisted of 100 individuals, 62 from G1 and 38 from G2. The CE/SL ratio and MLS were higher in the seven sensory conditions in G1. The APS of G1 was higher in the progression of conditions 1 to 3. Conclusion: Individuals with vestibular dysfunction presented higher MLS postural oscillations when reduced sensory aferences. The APS oscillations of the groups were similar in conditions that provided somatosensory reduction, deprivation and suppression of dynamic visual stimuli.