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Friday, August 05, 2005
Researchin' using..
Equitesting
The EquiTest® provides objective assessment of balance control and postural stability under dynamic test conditions designed to reflect the challenges of daily life. The EquiTest includes the full battery of tests that comprise Computerized Dynamic Posturography (CDP). The System provides assessment capabilities on either a stable or unstable support surface and in a stable or dynamic visual environment.
The System utilizes a dynamic 18" x 18" dual forceplate with rotation and translation capabilities to measure the vertical forces exerted by the patient's feet; and a moveable visual surround.
The Sensory Organization Test (SOT)
The SOT protocol objectively identifies abnormalities in the patient's use of the three sensory systems that contribute to postural control: somatosensory, visual and vestibular. During the SOT, useful information delivered to the patient's eyes, feet and joints is effectively eliminated through calibrated "sway referencing" of the support surface and/or visual surround, which tilt to directly follow the patient's anteroposterior body sway. By controlling the usefulness of the sensory (visual and proprioceptive) information through sway referencing and/or eyes open/closed conditions, the SOT protocol systematically eliminates useful visual and/or support surface information and creates sensory conflict situations. These conditions isolate vestibular balance control, as well as stress the adaptive responses of the central nervous system. In short, patients may display either an inability to make effective use of individual sensory systems, or inappropriate adaptive responses, resulting in the use of inaccurate sense(s).
The SOT protocol is comprised of six sensory conditions:
The Motor Control Test (MCT)
The MCT assesses the ability of the automatic motor system to quickly recover following an unexpected external disturbance. Sequences of small, medium or large platform translations (scaled to the patient's height) in forward and backward directions elicit automatic postural responses.
Translation of the surface in one horizontal direction results in displacement of the COG away from center in the opposite direction relative to the base of support. To restore normal balance, a quick movement of the COG back to the center position is required.
4:39 PM Albert
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..a life in DUO