Thymocognitive input and postural regulation: a study on obsessive-compulsive disorder patients.
BACKGROUND
To show that emotional and cognitive information acts upon the postural balance system in a way comparable to that of the other known inputs (vision, vestibular, proprioception).


METHODS
Controlled case study on 90 subjects. One group was composed of 45 subjects suffering from obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in accordance with the Yale-Brown scale, while the other was the control group. All of the subjects underwent recording of their orthostatic posture on a force platform with eyes open and eyes closed.


RESULTS
As regards to the postural findings, the two groups appear to be quite different. The OCD patients present a considerably reduced area and velocity of sway regardless of whether their eyes are open or closed.


CONCLUSIONS
These results are coherent with regard to those of other studies establishing the link between postural balance and psychological status. Recent morphological studies likewise tend to confirm the existence of neuronal networks common to postural regulation and cognitive and emotional functioning. When interpreting symptoms, these interactions should be taken into account.
Kemoun
G
G
Service de Médecine Physique et de Réadaptation, Pavillon Maurice-Salles, CHU de Poitiers, Poitiers, France. g.kemoun@chu-poitiers.fr
Carette
P
P
Watelain
E
E
Floirat
N
N
D000328:Adult; D000886:Anthropometry; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009771:Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / Q000523:psychology*; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology*; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology*; D011434:Proprioception / Q000502:physiology; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D014722:Vestibule, Labyrinth / Q000502:physiology; D014796:Visual Perception / Q000502:physiology