Vibrotactile biofeedback improves tandem gait in patients with unilateral vestibular loss

Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2009 May:1164:279-81. doi: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2008.03707.x.

Abstract

In a crossover design, subjects with unilateral vestibular loss (UVL) practiced tandem gait with eyes closed on two days, two weeks apart, with and without vibrotactile biofeedback (BF) applied to the lateral trunk. Results showed an immediate improvement in postural stability (reduction of lateral center-of-mass displacement, trunk tilt, and medial-lateral step width) that was significantly larger than effects of practice alone. However, BF did not increase the rate of improvement or retention of improved stability during gait.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Analysis of Variance
  • Biofeedback, Psychology*
  • Gait*
  • Humans
  • Vestibular Diseases / physiopathology*
  • Vestibular Diseases / therapy