Normal Ranges of the Stabilometry by Age Groups

Kim, Lee Suk; Jang, Dong Mi; Jung, In Ho; Ahn, Young Min

Abstract

Stabilometry is a basic vestibular function test to detect abnormal body sway in upright standing posture. Subject were instructed to stand on the platform of stabilometer for 60 seconds when eyes open and eyes closed. And the recordings were analyzed with the pattern, A-P diameter, lateral diameter, distance and movement area. 178 normal Koreans(86 male, 92 female) were divided into 8 groups aged of 5-9, 10-14, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59 and 60-69. And the results were as follow 1) Centripetal type was the most frequent body sway pattern when eyes open and eyes closed(93% when eyes open, 94% when eyes closed). There were no significant differences between each age groups, sexes, and eyes open and eyes closed, respectively. 2) The mean of A-P diameter in all age groups was 1.13+/-0.33cm when eyes open and 1.50+/-0.48cm when eyes closed, lateral diameter was 1.09+/-0.33cm when eyes open and 1.47+/-0.50cm when eyes closed, distance of movement was 92.85+/-25.21cm when eyes open and 142.34+/-49.34cm when eyes closed, and area of movement was 0.33+/-1.49cm2 when eyes open and 6.02+/-4.53cm2 when eyes closed. 3) A-P diameter, lateral diameter, distance and area of movement were increased in age groups below 14 years and over 60 years, but there were no significant differences in groups ranged in age from 15 to 59 years. There was no significant difference between both sexes.