Article

This study explores the effect of vibrotactile biofeedback on body sway in stance
in patients with severe bilateral vestibular losses in a placebo-controlled
study. A tilt sensor mounted on the head or trunk is used to detect head or body
tilt and activates via a microprocessor 12 small vibrators that are placed around
the waist with a mutual distance of 30 degrees. Two positions of the tilt sensor
(head and trunk) and three types of biofeedback (normal, full and random) were
evaluated, besides no biofeedback. Body sway during stance was assessed in 10
patients with bilateral vestibular areflexia and performance was scored in the
seven different conditions. Inter-individual and test-retest variability without
biofeedback was assessed in 10 additional patients with bilateral vestibular
areflexia. In six patients no significant change in body swaypath was observed
using biofeedback. In four patients body swaypath decreased significantly using
biofeedback and sensor on the head in all three activation modes, whereas with
sensor on the trunk only one patient showed a significant improvement in swaypath
in all three activation modes. The patients rated the functionality of the AVBF
system and its effect on balance on average 6.5 on a scale from 0 to 10. Thus,
body sway improved in 4 out of 10 patients using biofeedback, but the improvement
with true biofeedback was only observed in those subjects where an improvement
was present in placebo mode as well. The improvement was, at least partially,
caused by other effects than biofeedback, like training, increased
self-confidence or alertness.
CI - Copyright 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS