Reference posturography values based on Nintendo Wii on Chilean population

Abstract

Introduction: Posturography is a complementary method for evaluating the center of pressure (COP) displacement; it should not be used in isolation when assessing balance, but it is accepted for follow-up of the treatment response. Due to its high commercial cost and low availability, we documented the Nintendo Wii Balance Board (WBB) as an alternative for posturography. Aim: To describe the normal range of posturography parameters in the Chilean population without vestibular pathology, using a simple and accessible registry method. Material and Method: Cross-sectional study of referential values in a balance assessment tool. Posturography values were registered using an adapted version of the Sensory Organization Test (SOT) on healthy adults. Measurements with WBB Sway Program software through WBB. With adapted-SOT, somatosensory, visual and vestibular indices, as well as anterior/posterior and mediolateral axes postural control patterns, were measured. Results: Values of displacement velocity of the COP, COP area and corresponding standard deviations were obtained for 4 SOT-adapted situations from 35 subjects between 18-65 years, 21 women, 14 men. Discussion: As an approach to determine referential range values, WBB allowed to evaluate these parameters in healthy population. To determine healthy subjects postural control patterns this quick and accessible tool is a useful alternative. We present referential range values to use in our population; it is suggested to use these values as therapeutic objectives in vestibular rehabilitation in patients evaluated along with other clinical-symptomatic parameters.