EquiTest®systemによる感覚,運動機能の総合的分析の診断的意義

Abstract

EquiTest® system is a new test apparatus to evaluate equilibrium function using complicated stimulations in combination with visual and the somatosensory inputs. The test consists of the sensory organization test and the movement coordination test.The equilibrium function is supported by three sensory organs: the visual, the vestibulum and the somatosensory. The sensory organization test is to evaluate the function of these sensory organs singularly and in combination in relation to posture control. This test consists of six conditions.The movement coordination test is given with eyes open and is to evaluate posture responses to external perturbations given by movements of the foot plate. At first the subject is stimulated by a forward and backward movement, and then by the toes being tilted up and down. Each stimulation is repeated five times. The test results are evaluated by the amplitude of body sway, which in normal subjects decreases with repetition as subjects adapt to the stimulations.Forty two patients (27 peripheral vestibular disorders,6 cerebellar and brain stem infarctions and 9 spino-cerebellar degenerations) were tested by this system.In conclusions, more than half of the patients in each group showed abnormal results in equilibrium scores during the sensory organization test. Only a few patients with peripheral disorders showed abnormal results in the movement coordination test, while many patients with central nervous system disorders showed abnormal results. Especially in 9 patients with spinocerebellar disorders, there was a high incidence of abnormal results under all conditions. EquiTest® was very useful as an auxiliary examination for differential diagnosis of dynamic equilibrium dysfunction.