Using Swaystar to measure sway amplitude in an office setting.
OBJECTIVE
The study was conducted to determine if Swaystar (University Hospital, Basel), a device that measures trunk sway, could be used in the office to detect abnormalities in patients who had vestibular abnormalities.


METHODS
Prospective study design.


METHODS
Patients were referred to our tertiary and quaternary care dizziness clinic.


METHODS
We measured total sway amplitudes using Swaystar during tandem walking of 18 patients referred sequentially who were identified as abnormal by caloric testing. These patients were compared with age- and sex-matched subjects from our normative Swaystar databank.


METHODS
We measured total sway amplitude in pitch and roll planes with Swaystar during tandem walking testing with eyes open and eyes closed.


RESULTS
Patients with caloric abnormalities had significantly higher total sway than the age- and sex-matched normals from our normative databank.


CONCLUSIONS
Swaystar is sensitive to measuring increased sway amplitude in patients with balance system deficits (as documented by caloric abnormalities) whether the patient is unstable in the pitch plane, roll plane, or both.
Neuro-otology Unit, Vancouver General Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia.
Arthur
A
Mallinson
Neil
N
Longridge
Kevin
K
Wong
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009460:Neurologic Examination / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology