Evaluation of postural stability using motion analysis techniques

Abstract

The most of the posture stability tests are based on comparison of clinical trials realized in two different conditions, i.e. with and without visual information about surrounding environment. Such tests are performed with eyes open, fixed on certain point in front of the subject, and with eyes closed. The acquired results give us opportunity to understand individual diseases of vestibular system in more details. The main aim of this research study was to integrate the human motion analysis methods to evaluate postural stability and balance control mechanisms in patients with vestibular diseases. A marker-free analysis system was used to detect and evaluate motion of anatomical landmarks in single video camera records. Pilot study was realized at the group of 22 patients to verify both the system functionality and the methodology suitability. All here included patients were evaluated separately as first, because of their different impairments affecting postural control. Then, the results were analysed within the group of here included patients as well. The first results showed that the method was efficient and proved quantitative changes in posture stability parameters as well as their dependence on visual perception. Also, the results obtained in patients with similar symptoms convinced us that the increasing number of analysed subjects and thus increasing database of patients data could help clinicians to identify the background of closely related groups of posture disorders as well as to improve the patients health status by supporting of decision making process aimed to select optimal treatment.