Evaluation of the Sensory Organization Test to differentiate non-fallers from single- and multi-fallers

Among the elderly, instability leading to falls (and consequences of them) is one of the most important problems. The etiology of falls is usually complex, but balance, posture and gait problems are considered to be the most important risk factors.

The objective of this study was to assess the usefulness of the Sensory Organization Test (SOT) in differentiating multi-fallers from single-fallers.

The studied group included 92 patients aged >60 years with balance disorders and falls in their history. The patients were divided into 2 groups: multi-fallers and single-fallers. The control group (non-fallers) included 21 individuals. The SOT was performed on the 1st day (SOT1) and on the last day (SOT2) of rehabilitation. Mean equilibrium score (ES) of 1-3 and 4-6 sensory conditions and composite score (CS) of the SOT1 and SOT2 were analyzed. The falls were analyzed as a total number of falls while performing SOT and a number of falls in all 3 repetitions of both conditions 5 and 6 separately. In SOT conditions 1-4 there were no falls observed.

The importance of SOT to differentiate fallers from non-fallers and single-fallers from multi-fallers is ambiguous.

The SOT may or may not indicate the differences between the groups - it does not fully explain those differences. It shows only postural dysfunction without indicating any localization in particular part of vestibular organ. The basic diagnostic evaluation in the elderly with a proneness to falls should include clinical examination and the Dix-Hallpike maneuver, supplemented with a videonystagmography (VNG), which would assess the structure of damage in vestibular organ. Posturography is of less validity in the differentiation of fallers from non-fallers.