title: The Control of Postural Stability during Standing is Decreased in Stroke Patients during Active Head Rotation.
abstract: [Purpose] The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of active head rotation on postural control in stroke patients during standing as compared with age-matched healthy subjects. [Subjects and Methods] In total, 46 stroke patients and 37 age-matched healthy subjects were recruited for the study. A stabilometer was used to assess postural stability in participants during standing, with or without active head rotation, and with their eyes open or closed. Subjects were asked to stand on a force plate while rotating their head in the yaw plane at a frequency of 1.0 Hz. A metronome was used to maintain the head rotation frequency, and the head rotation range was maintained at a total of 70° during the postural stability examinations. [Results] The control of postural stability during standing with active head rotation was significantly decreased in the stroke group as compared with the healthy group with both the eyes open and closed. No significant differences in relation to standing without head motion were observed between groups. [Conclusion] The findings suggest that postural instability is increased in stroke patients during active head rotation, and therefore, vestibular function in relation to head rotation might be reduced in stroke patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation, Shiroishi Kyoritsu Hospital, Japan ; Division of Cognitive Neuropsychology, Graduate School of Medicine, Saga University, Japan.
authors.forename: Tsubasa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mitsutake
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation, Shiroishi Kyoritsu Hospital, Japan.
authors.forename: Yuji
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Chuda
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, School of Health Sciences at Fukuoka, International University of Health and Welfare, Japan.
authors.forename: Shinichiro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Oka
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation, Takagi Hospital, Japan.
authors.forename: Hirokatsu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hirata
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation, Shiroishi Kyoritsu Hospital, Japan.
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Matsuo
authors.affiliation: Division of Cognitive Neuropsychology, Graduate School of Medicine, Saga University, Japan.
authors.forename: Etsuo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Horikawa
keywords: Postural stability; Stroke patients; Vestibular function