Test order effects of computerized dynamic posturography and calorics.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether there is a test order effect of the caloric subtest of videonystagmography on the Sensory Organization Test (SOT) of computerized dynamic posturography, and to assess the learning effect of multiple posturography test sessions on the SOT score.


METHODS
Scores on the 6 SOT conditions before and after caloric testing were compared for 10 participants age 18-36 years. Four SOT sessions were completed prior to caloric testing to assess the presence of a learning effect and establish precaloric baseline SOT scores. All participants had normal vestibular systems with no history of dizziness or imbalance.


RESULTS
Caloric testing had a significant effect on the equilibrium score for only 1 of 6 test conditions. While meeting statistical significance, the actual change in score for this condition was very small. Equilibrium scores improved for the more difficult test conditions between the 1st and 2nd SOT sessions.


CONCLUSIONS
Results indicate that there are minimal test order effects of calorics on the SOT. Results confirm that a significant improvement in score for more challenging test conditions occurs between SOT Sessions 1 and 2 as a result of learning. Therefore, clinicians must be cautious when using posturography to monitor patient improvement.
Bernstein
Jill
J
University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA. jillcbernstein@gmail.com
Burkard
Robert
R
D000328:Adult; D002150:Caloric Tests / Q000379:methods*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004244:Dizziness / Q000209:etiology; D004584:Electronystagmography / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D004856:Postural Balance; D011214:Practice, Psychological; D012016:Reference Values; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted; D015837:Vestibular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D014724:Vestibular Function Tests / Q000379:methods*; D014741:Video Recording; D055815:Young Adult