title: Individuals with a vestibular-related disorder use a somatosensory-dominant strategy for postural orientation after inclined stance.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The visual, somatosensory, and vestibular systems are critical for establishing a sensorimotor set for postural control and orientation. The goal of this study was to assess how individuals with a vestibular-related disorder keep their balance following prolonged stance on an inclined surface. We hypothesize that subjects will show greater reliance on the somatosensory system than age-matched controls as inferred by the presence of a forward postural lean aftereffect following the inclined stance (i.e., a positive response).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results revealed an underlying somatosensory-dominant strategy for postural control in the vestibular group: 100% of the subjects tested positive compared to 58% in the control group (P=.006).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Individuals with a vestibular-related disorder use a somatosensory-dominant strategy for postural orientation following prolonged inclined stance. The implications for the management of this population are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Chong
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Berl
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Cook
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Turner
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Walker
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000072458:Orientation, Spatial; D004856:Postural Balance; D011187:Posture; D012677:Sensation; D015837:Vestibular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014722:Vestibule, Labyrinth / Q000503:physiopathology
keywords: balance control; postural control; somatosensory; vestibular; vision