[Quantitative evaluation of disorders of upright posture using stabilometry]

The authors examined, using the stabilometric method, 14 patients with lesions of the cerebellum, vestibular system and cerebral hemispheres (hemiparetics). Quantitative evaluation of the stability of posture was done using 7 parameters under four conditions: with open eyes, with closed eyes, with additional visual feedback and standing on a 10 cm foam rubber with closed eyes. In patients with a vestibular lesion the authors observed more frequent elevated values in a lateral direction, a marked destabilization of the posture on the foam rubber and effective use of the added visual feedback. Cerebellar patients were unable to use effectively the visual biofeedback for stabilization of posture. They were characterized by an obvious increase of stabilometric parameters in both directions and under all circumstances. The visual biofeedback had a different effect on maintenance of the upright position in hemiparetic patients. Stabilometry enables the authors to quantify posture and to record different characteristics of postural ataxias.