Postural control measured by visual feedback posturography.

Area of Science:

• Biomechanics
• Human Motor Control
• Rehabilitation Technology

Background:

• Postural control assessment is crucial for evaluating neurological and musculoskeletal conditions.
• Visual feedback posturography (VFP) offers a dynamic method for analyzing balance and movement strategies.
• Understanding the repeatability of VFP is essential for its clinical application.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the applicability and test-retest reliability of visual feedback posturography (VFP).
• To assess postural control parameters including accuracy, velocity, and side difference in healthy subjects.
• To determine the influence of repeated testing on VFP outcome measures.

Main Methods:

• Twenty-three healthy subjects participated in the study.
• Subjects performed center of gravity (COG) target-reaching tasks using VFP.
• Key parameters measured included accuracy, velocity, side difference, hold percentage, balance index, and hit delay.

Main Results:

• High intraclass correlation coefficients (r = 0.93 - 0.96) indicated significant test-retest reliability for all measured parameters.
• Hold percentage and COG velocity showed no significant changes across repeated tests.
• Balance index and hit delay improved significantly by the 4th and 5th sessions, suggesting learning effects.

Conclusions:

• Visual feedback posturography exhibits high test-retest repeatability, making it suitable for assessing active postural control.
• Clinicians should consider potential learning effects when using VFP for repeated assessments in patient populations.
• VFP provides a reliable method for monitoring changes in postural control over time.