A polarized light goniometer (abbreviated as Polgon) was applied for the analysis of the stepping movement in normal adults and patients with peripheral vestibular disorders.
In normal subjects the most stable pattern of shoulder angulation was obtained with 1.0 to 1.4 steps per second. The calculated changes of angulation of shoulders while stepping at the speed of 1.2 steps per second with the eyes open were 7.8±3.9deg. (right shoulder) and 7.7±4.3deg. (left shoulder), while those with the eyes closed were 11.5±5.0deg. (right shoulder) and 11.3±5.4deg. (left shoulder).
The patients with peripheral vestibular disorders showed larger patterns of shoulder angulation with accompanying body rotation or asymmetric movements between the right and left shoulders.
The results suggest that the Polgon is a useful tool for the analysis of vertigo and ataxia.