Dynamic Locomotor Function in Normals and Patients with Vertigo

• Published in: Acta oto-laryngologica Vol. 121; no. 2; pp. 241 - 244
• Main Author: Kazuo Ishikawa, Zhi Wei Cao, Yan Wang, Weng Hoe Wong, Toshihiko Tanaka, Soichro Miyazaki, Itaru Toyoshima
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Stockholm Informa UK Ltd 2001; Taylor & Francis; Taylor and Francis
• Subjects: Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Ear, auditive nerve, cochleovestibular tract, facial nerve: diseases, semeiology; Female; Functional Laterality - physiology; Gait - physiology; Gait Analysis Tactile Sensor Estibular System Disorders; Humans; Locomotion - physiology; Male; Medical sciences; Meniere Disease - diagnosis; Meniere Disease - physiopathology; Middle Aged; Neuroma, Acoustic - diagnosis; Neuroma, Acoustic - physiopathology; Non tumoral diseases; Otorhinolaryngology. Stomatology; Postural Balance - physiology; Reference Values; Sensory Deprivation - physiology; Spinocerebellar Degenerations - diagnosis; Spinocerebellar Degenerations - physiopathology; Vestibular Diseases - diagnosis; Vestibular Diseases - physiopathology; Vestibular Neuronitis - diagnosis; Vestibular Neuronitis - physiopathology; Vestibule, Labyrinth - physiopathology; Equilibrium disorder; Human; Locomotion; Nervous system diseases; Healthy subject; Dynamics; ENT disease; Exploration; Comparative study; Vertigo
• ISSN: 0001-6489; 1651-2251
• DOI: 10.1080/000164801300043668

Gait analysis was performed in patients with various vestibular systems using a tactile sensor. There were 4 patients with vestibular neuronitis, 6 patients with large acoustic neuroma and 6 patients with spino-cerebellar degeneration (SCD). Gait phase related parameters such as stance, swing and double support were studied to assess gait stability. Also the area ratio of trajectories of center of force during stance and progression of foot pressure were checked. The calculated value of each variable became high in pathological cases compared with normal controls, and the highest value was obtained in the SCD group. As regards the effect of visual deprivation on stability of gait, the most striking change was found in the large acoustic neuroma group. In a case with a unilateral lesion such as vestibular neuronitis and large acoustic neuroma, foot pressure was greater on the lesion side, especially during gait with eyes closed. As for the foot pressure progression curve, the SCD group showed the most irregular pattern in general, although there were some individual variations. Those results could reflect a functional disorder of the gait control system caused by each disease. Significance of gait analysis is also discussed.