Clinical application of dynamic posturography for evaluating sensory integration and vestibular dysfunction.
The assessment of sensory organization in balance control by dynamic posturography is unique compared with clinical maneuvers and other vestibular or neurologic testing. It was designed to isolate the relative contributions of visual, somatosensory, and vestibular feedback, and thus to assess the overall function of the balance control system in adaptively selecting between available sensory information for orientation cues to serve as a reference to earth vertical. Rather than serving as a test for specific pathologic conditions, the utility of posturography is in screening for balance disorders and in functionally defining different types of sensory deficits or central disorders. This functional information can be used to define restrictions or high-risk environments for patients, to guide rehabilitative balance therapy, and to monitor progression of recovery from a disease process.