Clinical evaluation of the Romberg quotient in stabilometry

Abstract

　Romberg's sign is an important finding sign that is elicited to screen for the possibility of peripheral vestibular disorders, and the Romberg quotient in stabilometry is the numerical equivalent of the Romberg sign.

　In this study, we analyzed the rates of abnormalities of six parameters (the outer circumference area of the sway movement, rectangular area, root means square area, total length of the sway movement, maximum diameter of the left-to-right movement, and maximum diameter of the anterior to posterior movement) to evaluate the Romberg quotient in patients with dizziness, including those with peripheral vestibular diseases.

　Subjects stood on the stabilometer with both feet close together in an eyes-open or eyes-closed condition for 1minute each. The sampling frequency was 100Hz. We used the software for stabilometry analysis reported by Asai et al. We calculated the normal values of the six parameters determining the Romberg quotient based on the data in a healthy control group that consisted of 260 healthy adults without ear diseases or dizziness. In this study, we divided the patients into two study groups. Study group I consisted of 91 dizzy patients with peripheral vestibular disorders, while study group II consisted of 54 dizzy patients without peripheral vestibular disorders.

　Among the parameters determining the Romberg quotient, the enveloped area, rectangular area, and total length of the sway path seemed to be the most suitable to screen for peripheral vestibular disorders. In particular, the enveloped area could be expected to be useful for distinguishing peripheral vestibular disorders from other disorders. On the other hand, the percentage of subjects with an abnormal root mean square area might be higher among dizzy patients without peripheral vestibular disorders.