Inertial Sensor-Based Assessment of Postural Control During Modified Romberg Conditions: Normative Reference Metrics...

Area of Science:

• Biomechanics
• Human Movement Science
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Postural control integrates visual, vestibular, and somatosensory information.
• Conventional Romberg tests offer limited quantitative data on directional control and sensory reliance.
• Wearable inertial measurement units (IMUs) allow for portable, detailed postural sway assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantitatively assess postural sway using a modified Romberg protocol with full-body IMUs.
• To investigate the effects of visual deprivation and stance conditions on postural control.
• To characterize sensory dependence and directional control during balance tasks.

Main Methods:

• Thirty healthy adults performed a modified Romberg protocol with varied stance, visual, and arm conditions.
• Full-body IMU systems recorded whole-body kinematics, enabling center-of-mass (CoM) trajectory derivation.
• Linear, spatial, and nonlinear sway metrics were computed and statistically analyzed.

Main Results:

• Visual deprivation significantly increased sway path length, velocity, and area (p < 0.001).
• Tandem stance amplified mediolateral sway compared to normal stance (p < 0.001).
• Significant Vision × Arm interactions were observed during tandem stance (p < 0.05).

Conclusions:

• Full-body IMU analysis combined with a modified Romberg protocol offers sensitive characterization of postural control.
• Tandem stance under visual deprivation imposes greater mediolateral postural demands, challenging directional control.
• This approach provides a robust method for evaluating sensory contributions to balance.