The significance of the body sway test was studied using a stabilometer (SG-1). One hundred and six normal persons were subjected for the fundamental study to analyse nine parameters. In addition, comparison was made between the normal and the vertiginous persons to find useful parameters for differential diagnosis and to determine the clinical significance of this test.
The results obtained were as follows:
1) It was concluded that in a test session, the first test values should be discarded, and the second and third test values should be adopted.
2) A high correlation was observed between REC AREA, RMS and SD AREA, and between LNG and MX, in normal subjects.
3) The daily variation in normal subjects was greater in the eyes closed test than in the eyes open test, except for MX and MY. Although each parameter was stable, a great daily variation was observed in the ratio of the eyes closed to the eyes open test results.
4) From the stand point of so-called SN ratio, the results of the eyes open test and the eyes closed test should be evaluated independently.
5) There was a significant difference in LNG/TIME, LNG and MX in daily variance, from the dispersion analysis of parameters for factors of the individual, open and closed conditions of the eye, and the daily variance.
6) The body sway pattern was more diffuse in the vertiginous than in the normal subjects, on the eyes closed test.
7) The normal group was divided into three age groups from the analysis of nine parameters.
8) All parameters except for MX and MY were clinically useful, and the ratio of the eyes closed to the eyes open test results was of no use for differenciating the vertiginous from the normal subjects.
9) It was difficult to make the etiological diagnosis on the vertiginous patients by a stabilometer test alone, and this should be performed as one of the necessary tests for diagnosis.
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