Protocol for static posturography with dynamic tests in individuals without vestibular complaints using the Horus...

Area of Science:

• Biomechanics
• Neuroscience
• Gerontology

Background:

• Assessing body balance is vital for diagnosing neurological and age-related conditions.
• Standardized protocols and reference values are needed for accurate balance assessment.
• Low-cost diagnostic equipment can improve accessibility to balance testing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose a standardized protocol for investigating body balance.
• To determine reference values for body balance using static posturography with dynamic tests.
• To validate new, low-cost Brazilian equipment for balance diagnosis across different age and gender groups.

Main Methods:

• Developed a protocol using static posturography with dynamic tests.
• Evaluated 297 healthy volunteers (20-89 years) across six age and gender groups.
• Utilized new, low-cost Brazilian Horus equipment for balance assessment, including stability limits and sensory conditions (C1-C7).

Main Results:

• Established reference values for stability limits in males and females across different age brackets.
• Observed an increase in Confidence Ellipse area with age in sensory integration tests (C1-C7).
• Defined reference percentile values for Residual Functional Balance (RFB) and Sensory Analysis (SA).

Conclusions:

• Successfully established a protocol for investigating body balance using static posturography.
• Determined age and gender-specific reference values for normal individuals.
• The protocol and reference values facilitate improved diagnosis of balance disorders using accessible technology.