Abstract
The foam posturography analysis system is useful for preliminary assessment of peripheral vestibulopathy. Body sway measured while standing on foam rubber with the eyes closed can increase in patients with vestibulopathy, because the role of vestibular inputs becomes more prominent under this condition. The Romberg's ratio and the foam ratios (ratios of measured parameter with to without the foam rubber) might indicate visual and somatosensory dependence in standing posture, respectively. We have performed clinical studies using the foam posturography analysis system. We proved the effect of the dysfunction of the inferior vestibular nerve system, which was detected by cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potentials, on postural stability. We suggested that body sway in patients at the chronic stage with poor recovery of peripheral vestibular function remained increased. We revealed that once a patient with vestibular neuritis passed the acute phase of the vertigo attack, age and residual vestibular function were important to maintaining posture. Foam posturography is expected to make a great contribution to both clinical examination and clinical research.
