Computerized posturography in the diagnosis and treatment of the instability of the elderly

Abstract

Aging of the world's population is a fact that accounts for the emphasized interest for the pathology of the elderly. The objective of this paper is the evaluation of the utility of computerized posturography in the diagnosis and treatment of the instability in the elderly. The syndrome of instability of the elderly, also called presbyastasis is a pathology that requires increased attention because of the traumatic risks involved, due to the falls. Presbyastasis is diffi cult to diagnose because there are no functional alterations perceivable at the vestibular examination (no spontaneous nystagmus, no rotatory and caloric tests modifi cations). Computerized posturography may be used to diagnose the instability syndrome appeared in the elderly. There are modifi cations at the sensory organization test (SOT) that can be revealed in computerized posturography. The risk of falls can be assessed using special tests. The therapy of the instability syndrome of the elderly is mainly based on vestibular rehabilitation therapy that can be performed using the posturography platform. In conclusion computerized dynamic posturography is a diagnostic as well as a therapeutic tool that can be used for the diagnostic and treatment of age related balance disorders.