Posturographic Findings in Patients With Psychological Dizziness

Abstract

Background: The diagnosis and treatment of patients with psychogenic vertigo (PSY) is difficult because of the lack of reliable objective findings for this condition. We examined the characteristics of foam posturography in patients with peripheral vestibular disorders (PVD) and those with PSY. In particular, we focused on the objective findings of foam posturography in PSY.

Methods: Between January 2010 and December 2011, 2-legged stance tasks were conducted in patients with vertigo/dizziness under 4 conditions: eyes opened with/without foam rubber and eyes closed with/without foam rubber. In terms of the velocity of movement of the center of pressure, we examined Romberg ratios, that is, the ratios of changes in visual conditions under the fixed foam rubber conditions, and foam rubber ratios, that is, the ratios of changes in foam rubber conditions under fixed visual conditions. These ratios were compared among 3 groups: healthy controls (CONT) (n=195), PVD (n=178), and PSY (n=32).

Results: Romberg ratios using foam rubber in the PVD group were significantly higher than those in the CONT group. Those in the PSY group were significantly lower. Likewise, the foam rubber ratios in the PVD group were significantly higher than those in the CONT group when the eyes were closed. Those in the PSY group were significantly lower.

Conclusion: Judging from scores in Romberg ratios using foam rubber and foam rubber ratios when eyes were closed, foam posturography might have the potential to differentiate PSY from PVD.