title: Verticality Perceptions Associate with Postural Control and Functionality in Stroke Patients.
abstract: Deficits of postural control and perceptions of verticality are disabling problems observed in stroke patients that have been recently correlated to each other. However, there is no evidence in the literature confirming this relationship with quantitative posturography analysis. Therefore, the objectives of the present study were to analyze the relationship between Subjective Postural Vertical (SPV) and Haptic Vertical (HV) with posturography and functionality in stroke patients. We included 45 stroke patients. The study protocol was composed by clinical interview, evaluation of SPV and HV in roll and pitch planes and posturography. Posturography was measured in the sitting and standing positions under the conditions: eyes open, stable surface (EOSS); eyes closed, stable surface (ECSS); eyes open, unstable surface (EOUS); and eyes closed, unstable surface (ECUS). The median PV in roll plane was 0.34° (-1.44° to 2.54°) and in pitch plane 0.36° (-2.72° to 2.45°). The median of HV in roll and pitch planes were -0.94° (-5.86° to 3.84°) and 3.56° (-0.68° to 8.36°), respectively. SPV in the roll plane was correlated with all posturagraphy parameters in sitting position in all conditions (r = 0.35 to 0.47; p < 0.006). There were moderate correlations with the verticality perceptions and all the functional scales. Linear regression model showed association between speed and SPV in the roll plane in the condition EOSS (R2 of 0.37; p = 0.005), in the condition ECSS (R2 of 0.13; p = 0.04) and in the condition EOUS (R2 of 0.22; p = 0.03). These results suggest that verticality perception is a relevant component of postural control and should be systematically evaluated, particularly in patients with abnormal postural control.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience and Behavior Sciences, Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Jussara A O
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Baggio
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience and Behavior Sciences, Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Suleimy S C
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Mazin
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience and Behavior Sciences, Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Frederico F
authors.initials: FF
authors.lastname: Alessio-Alves
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Camila G C
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Barros
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics and Mathematics, Ribeirao Preto School of Philosophy, Sciences and Letters, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Antonio A O
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Carneiro
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience and Behavior Sciences, Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: João P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Leite
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience and Behavior Sciences, Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Octavio M
authors.initials: OM
authors.lastname: Pontes-Neto
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience and Behavior Sciences, Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Taiza E G
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Santos-Pontelli
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D004856:Postural Balance; D011187:Posture; D012678:Sensation Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D013028:Space Perception; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*