The application of time-frequency methods to the analysis of postural sway

Abstract

We apply time-frequency (TF) spectral analysis techniques, namely evolutionary spectral estimators, to postural sway data gathered during quiet standing and in response to external visual stimuli. These techniques provide insight into the time-varying properties of the human balance control systems during standing. We demonstrate by means of individual and group examples that the results of the TF methods can be used to characterize the behavior of the balance system for groups of patients and controls. Specifically we show that, for healthy control subjects, sway at a visual stimulus frequency toward and away from the subject shows an amplitude which decays in time. On the other hand, patients display a response whose amplitude at the stimulus frequency increases with time. Thus TF analysis yields insights into the time-varying nature of the postural control system.