Using posturography to detect unsteadiness in 13 patients with peripheral neuropathy: a pilot study

Our aims were to use posturography to see if sway pattern differed between patients with large-fiber peripheral neuropathy and normal control subjects and, if it did, to compare posturography with conventional electromyography (EMG) as screening tools for large-fiber peripheral neuropathy. Thirteen patients who came to our neurophysiology laboratory with a preliminary diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy (made by their referring physicians) were compared with 7 nonmatched control subjects. All subjects received a neurologic examination and underwent posturography and conventional EMG. Results of posturography and conventional EMG were compared. Posturography showed abnormal sway patterns only in patients who had EMG abnormalities consistent with large-fiber peripheral neuropathy. These sway patterns differed significantly from those of the control subjects. Posturography seems to be a useful and well-tolerated screening test for patients with a history suggestive of peripheral neuropathy, and results of posturography agree with those of conventional EMG. Moreover, posturography directly measures increased sway in these patients and may be used as a more direct screen for risk of falls in this population.