Computerized Dynamic Posturography The Influence of Platform Stability on Postural Control

Objective: Postural stability can be quantified using posturography systems, which allow different foot platform stability settings to be selected. It is unclear, however, how platform stability and postural control are mathematically correlated. Design: Twenty subjects performed tests on the Biodex Stability System at all 13 stability levels. Overall stability index, medial-lateral stability index, and anterior-posterior stability index scores were calculated, and data were analyzed using analysis of variance and linear regression analysis. Results: A decrease in platform stability from the static level to the second least stable level was associated with a linear decrease in postural control. The overall stability index scores were 1.5 +/- 0.8 degrees (static), 2.2 +/- 0.9 degrees (level 8), and 3.6 +/- 1.7 degrees (level 2). The slope of the regression lines was 0.17 for the men and 0.10 for the women. Conclusions: A linear correlation was demonstrated between platform stability and postural control. The influence of stability levels seems to be almost twice as high in men as in women.