OBJECTIVE: Impairments in balance can be a consequence of changes in the motor, sensory, and integrative aspects of motor control. Abnormal sensory reweighting, i.e., the ability to select the most appropriate sensory information to achieve postural stability, may contribute to balance impairment. The Sensory Organization Test is a component of Computerized Dynamic Posturography that evaluates the impact of visual, vestibular, and somatosensory inputs, as well as sensory reweighting, under conditions of sensory conflict. The aim of this study is to compare balance control in hemiparetic patients during the first year post-stroke and in age-matched neurologically normal subjects using the Berg Balance Scale and Computerized Dynamic Posturography. METHODS: We compared the Berg Balance Scale and Sensory Organization Test scores in 21 patients with hemiparesis after first-ever ischemic stroke and in 21 age-matched, neurologically normal subjects. An equilibrium score was defined for each Sensory Organization Test condition. RESULTS: Berg Balance Scale scores were significantly lower in the patients than in the neurologically normal subjects. Equilibrium scores were significantly lower in the patients than in the neurologically normal subjects for those Sensory Organization Test conditions that did not provide appropriate somatosensory information and under conditions of sensory conflict. A history of falls was more frequent in patients with lower equilibrium scores. CONCLUSION: During the first year after a stroke, defective sensory reweighting significantly impacts balance control in hemiparetic patients. These results are important for the planning of effective rehabilitation interventions.

Forma de estudo: Clínico prospectivo. Objetivo: O estudo analisa prospectivamente os resultados da Reabilitação Vestibular pelo método de Cawtorne & Cooksey em 22 crianças, portadoras de vestibulopatia periférica, associada ou não a sintomas centrais, com idade média de 8,6 anos. Material e método: Os exames quantitativos da função vestibular utilizados para quantificar a vestibulopatia foram a eletronistagmografia e a prova rotatória pendular decrescente (PRPD), mas a história clínica altamente sugestiva de processo vestibular foi considerada diagnóstica mesmo na presença de exames normais. Resultado: Os resultados apontam a Reabilitação Vestibular como uma opção válida no tratamento das vestibulopatias na infância, uma vez que não houve casos não responsivos ao tratamento.

Study design: Clinical prospective. Aim: The authors analyze prospectively 22 children (mean age 8,6 years) with vestibulopathy treated with Vestibular Rehabilitation in order to verify its results. Material and methody: Twenty two children with peripheral vestibular disorders associated or not to central symptoms were submitted to vestibular stimulation by the method of Cawthorne & Cooksey. The methods used to quantify the vestibular abnormalities were the electronystagmography and rotational chair testing, but a suggestive history of vestibular disorder was accepted even the exams were normal. Results: All the patients improved and our results suggest that VR is a therapeutic alternative for the treatment of vestibular disorders in the children.