Using Posturography to Detect Unsteadiness in 13 Patients With Peripheral Neuropathy: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Our aims were to use posturography to
see if sway pattern differed between patients
with large-fiber peripheral neuropathy
and normal control subjects and, if it
did, to compare posturography with conventional
electromyography (EMG) as
screening tools for large-fiber peripheral
neuropathy.Thir teen patients who came to
our neurophysiology laboratory with a preliminary
diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy
(made by their referring physicians)
were compared with 7 nonmatched control
subjects.All subjects received a neurologic
examination and underwent posturography
and conventional EMG .Results of posturography
and conventional EMG were compared.
Postur ography showed abnormal
sway patterns only in patients who had
EMG abnormalities consistent with large-
fiber peripheral neuropathy.These sway
patterns differed significantly from those of
the control subjects.Postur ography seems
to be a useful and well-tolerated screening
test for patients with a history suggestive
of peripheral neuropathy, and results of
posturography agree with those of conventional
EMG.Mor eover, posturography directly
measures increased sway in these
patients and may be used as a more direct
screen for risk of falls in this population.