ABSTRACT
Purpose
To evaluate postural control in Menière’s disease.
Methods
34 patients with Menière’s disease (experimental group) and 34 healthy individuals (control group) were submitted to Tetrax Interactive Balance System posturography under eight sensory conditions. Stability, weight distribution, synchronization, risk of falling and postural oscillation frequency were analyzed.
Results
Stability index was higher in the experimental group with significant difference between the groups in all sensory conditions. Risk of falling was higher in the experimental group than in the control. Postural oscillation was higher in the experimental group in all frequency ranges, with significant difference in some of them. There was no significant difference between the groups in the weight distribution and synchronization indexes.
Conclusion
In this study, Menière’s disease patients presented impaired postural control, characterized by postural instability and oscillation and risk of falling.
Keywords:
Menière’s disease; Postural control; Vestibular function tests; Dizziness; Vertigo