Posturography is the clinical study of a patient's ability to stand upright. It involves the use of non-invasive medical tests to quantitatively measure a patient's balance and motor control. Various devices are used for posturography evaluations, including specialized platforms with sensors to provide feedback during the test. Physical therapists, neurologists, and other medical specialists may order this test as part of a diagnostic evaluation or to monitor a patient's ongoing progress.
In a posturography test, the patient wears a fall safety harness and is positioned on a platform. The most basic test involves asking the patient to stand up and hold the position for as long as possible. Sensors on the platform provide information on how the patient's weight is distributed and will update when the patient loses balance and the weight shifts or becomes unstable. Other tests may include tilting or moving the platform to see how well a patient adapts to changing conditions.
Many medical problems can cause balance problems. Neurological problems in the central or peripheral nervous system can affect the patient's motor control. The vestibular system for balance can be damaged, making it difficult for patients to know where they are in relation to other objects and the environment. Muscle weakness may make it more difficult to stand, or patients may have tremors and other neurological problems that affect the ability to balance and stand safely.
Posturography tests are supervised by a technician and usually take about 20 minutes. It shouldn't be painful, and patients don't need to take any special steps to prepare. The test may be ordered in association with brain scans, muscle conduction tests, and other medical tests to assess the patient's general health. All of this information may be collected for diagnostic purposes to narrow down a diagnosis for the patient and develop an appropriate treatment plan.
Patients undergoing treatment may also undergo periodic posturography tests. This may be done to see how well a patient is responding to treatment and to determine if a treatment regimen needs to be adjusted. It can also be used to monitor patients with degenerative diseases in order to track progress. Individual patient studies can be helpful in managing a case, and they also provide valuable information that may be helpful in treating other patients with the same condition, if patients consent to release the results of their posturography and other medical tests.