title: Static Balance in Patients with Vestibular Impairments: A Preliminary Study.
abstract: Aims. Vestibular system is indicated as one of the most important sensors responsible for static and dynamic postural control. In this study, we evaluated static balance in patients with unilateral vestibular impairments. Materials and Methods. We compared static balance control using Kistler force plate platform between 10 patients with unilateral vestibular impairments and 20 normal counterparts in the same sex ratio and age limits (50 ± 7). We evaluated excursion and velocity of center of pressure (COP) and path length in anteroposterior (AP) and mediolateral (ML) planes with eyes open and with eyes closed. Results. There was no significant difference between COP excursions in ML and AP planes between both groups with eyes open and eyes closed (p value > 0.05). In contrast, the difference between velocity and path length of COP in the mentioned planes was significant between both groups with eyes open and eyes closed (p value < 0.05). Conclusions. The present study showed the static instability and balance of patients with vestibular impairments indicated by the abnormal characteristics of body balance.
authors.affiliation: Audiology Department, Musculoskeletal Research Center, Faculty of Rehabilitation, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan 81746-73461, Iran; Communication Disorders Research Center, Faculty of Rehabilitation, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan 81746-73461, Iran.
authors.forename: Hossein
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Talebi
authors.affiliation: Musculoskeletal Research Center, Faculty of Rehabilitation, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan 81746-73461, Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad Taghi
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-8546-5576
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Karimi
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan 81746-73461, Iran.
authors.forename: Seyed Hamid Reza
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Abtahi
authors.affiliation: Musculoskeletal Research Center, Faculty of Rehabilitation, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan 81746-73461, Iran.
authors.forename: Niloofar
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Fereshtenejad