Posturography characteristics of obese children with and without associated disorders.

A group of 59 obese children ages 6-12 years were interviewed for current medical diagnoses (e.g., Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder- ADHD, and clumsiness) and later were examined posturographically for balance and stability. General stability of all the obese children deviated significantly from norms. 32.2% of the obese children had a pattern of balance that could indicate orthopedic problems. Obese children with ADHD or perceived clumsiness had significantly worse balance and postural performance compared to other obese children. Balance and posture among obese children without suspicion of problems were similar to non-obese controls. In conclusion, obese children with associated disorders (such as ADHD and perceived clumsiness) manifested disturbance in balance control. Thus, physical activity interventions for these children should include safety measures to decrease the chances of falling and subsequent injury.

The effect of a weight management program on postural balance in obese children.

UNLABELLED: The present study aimed to investigate whether obese children improve their balance and postural performance following a 6-month-weight management program. Twenty-nine obese children aged 6-14 years were examined posturographically before and after participation in weight management program. The interactive balance system evaluated the stability index, Fourier spectral analysis, weight distribution index, and falling index. The performance was evaluated for eight positions requiring closure of eyes, standing on pillows, as well as head turns. Anthropometric measurements (e.g., weight, height, BMI, and BMI percentiles) were also determined before and after the intervention. We found significant increase in height and significant decreased in BMI percentile following the intervention program (p<.05). Pre-intervention BMI percentile was found to be correlated with stability index in most of the positions measured (e.g., normal open position=.464; p=.011). Following the intervention program, an interaction was found between BMI percentile differences (pre- versus post-interventional) and balance (stability index and F2-F4 frequencies of most standing positions). Furthermore, a correlation was found between general stability and the falling index (.446; p=.015). Regression analysis showed that only initial weight distribution index and post-intervention BMI entered the equation as predictors of post-intervention weight distribution index. CONCLUSION: Weight management program for childhood obesity improved stability, reduced potential vestibular stress/disturbances, and decreased falling probability of the participants. Further longitudinal studies are needed to verify the relationship between physical activity, weight loss, and reduction of subsequent injuries in obese children.

Postural control in subjects with visual impairment.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of long-term, not experimentally induced visual impairment on balance, and to clarify which means are used to compensate for this sensory deficit. METHODS: Posturography was examined in 50 visually impaired subjects (11 with congenital blindness and 39 with acquired visual impairment) and 50 healthy controls. Examination was performed in 4 testing conditions: while standing on firm surface or foam pads (which decreases the somatosensory input) and with open or closed eyes (manipulating visual input). RESULTS: Subjects with acquired visual impairment were significantly less stable than controls when tested with open eyes, especially when standing on foam pads, but equal to controls when eyes were closed. Congenitally blind subjects performed equally to normal controls in all test conditions when tested with eyes open, and performed significantly better than controls with eyes closed. In comparison to subjects with acquired visual impairment, the congenitally blind were significantly more stable in all test conditions. Fourier analysis revealed that the visually impaired subjects showed decreased intensity values within the lowest frequency range of 0.1 Hz and below, a range believed to be sensitive to the function of the visual system. CONCLUSIONS: We have found that vision impairment influenced postural control, especially if acquired and not congenital. The somatosensory and vestibular systems serve as compensatory mechanisms, which is utilized most effectively by the congenitally blind.

Posturography as an indicator of fatigue due to sleep deprivation.

BACKGROUND: Fatigue is one of the main causes for accidents in transportation. This study was designed to assess the efficacy of a short objective posturographic test as an indicator of fatigue due to sleep deprivation. OBJECTIVES: To assess the efficiency of a short objective posturographic test as an indicator of fatigue due to sleep deprivation. METHODS: Postural control was measured using four-plate posturograhy with eyes open and eyes closed. Over a period of 26 h of sleep deprivation (from 08:00 to 10:00 the following day) 12 subjects were studied 10 times. The posturographic data were correlated with a subjective fatigue assessed by means of the Stanford Sleepiness Score. RESULTS: Stability and sway intensity while eyes were closed showed a statistically significant circadian pattern with a peak at early morning hours and a recovery at 10:00 the following day. When eyes were open, only changes within the medium-low frequency band (0.1-0.05 Hz), believed to be linked with vestibular function, reached statistical significance. The Subjective Feeling Scale pattern was similar to the postural parameters, but with an absence of recovery at 10:00 the following day. Excluding this point, significant correlations were found between posturography with eyes closed and this scale. CONCLUSIONS: Fatigue caused by sleep deprivation can be objectively assessed by a short, non-invasive, postural test. The vestibular function appears to be relatively more strongly affected by fatigue than the visual and somato-sensory sub-systems. Occlusion of vision appears to enhance the effect of fatigue on postural performance. Our results may imply that this test could be used as an efficient screening tool for detection of fatigue.

Brief posturographic test as an indicator of fatigue.

The purpose of the present paper was to analyze the efficiency of an abbreviated, albeit objective posturographic test as an indicator of fatigue. Posturography was measured in 10 healthy adults (age 18-33 years, male/female 7/3). Baseline posturographic measurements were taken for each subject. Later, a shorter (3-min) posturographic test was administered 12 times during 25 h of sleep deprivation. This was correlated with subjective assessment of fatigue using a questionnaire and cognitive performance assessed with a reaction time test (Psychomotor Vigilance Test). Although showing significant individual differences, the score of the abbreviated posturographic examination, normalized to each subject's baseline performance ('fatigue index') had a pronounced circadian pattern with a peak of instability in the early morning hours. Fatigue index was highly correlated with the cognitive test (r=0.80-0.90). A substantial, albeit weaker correlation was found between the fatigue index and the subjective fatigue scores (r=0.59-0.75). Fourier spectral analysis showed that low median sway (0.10-0.50 Hz), considered to be an expression of vestibular control, was most affected by fatigue. The study demonstrates that cognitive deterioration caused by fatigue can be objectively predicted by an abbreviated postural test of