Audio-biofeedback improves balance in patients with bilateral vestibular loss.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effectiveness of an audio-biofeedback (ABF) system for improving balance in patients with bilateral vestibular loss (BVL).


METHODS
Before-after trial.


METHODS
University balance disorders laboratory.


METHODS
Nine subjects with BVL and 9 unaffected subjects as controls.


METHODS
Trunk acceleration ABF while standing on foam with eyes closed.


METHODS
Balance stability was evaluated according to the following parameters: the root mean square of (1) the center of pressure (COP) displacements and of (2) the trunk accelerations; the COP bandwidth; the time spent by the participant within +/-1 degrees threshold from their baseline COP position; and the mean accelerations of the trunk while the participant was swaying outside this +/-1 degrees threshold.


RESULTS
Participants with BVL had significantly larger postural sway than did unaffected participants. Those with BVL, while using ABF, decreased sway area by 23%+/-4.9%, decreased trunk accelerations by 46%+/-9.9%, and increased time spent within +/-1 degrees sway threshold by 195%+/-34.6%.


CONCLUSIONS
ABF improved stance stability of participants with BVL by increasing the amount of postural corrections.
Department of Electronics, Computer Science and Systems, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
Marco
M
Dozza
Lorenzo
L
Chiari
Fay B
FB
Horak
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001676:Biofeedback, Psychology / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology*; D011434:Proprioception / Q000502:physiology; D015837:Vestibular Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*