INTRODUCTION:
Patients with vestibular hypofunction, a typical finding in peripheral vestibular disorders, show body balance alterations.
OBJECTIVE:
To evaluate the postural control of patients with vertigo and unilateral vestibular hypofunction.
METHOD:
This is a clinical cross-sectional study. Twenty-five patients with vertigo and unilateral vestibular hypofunction and a homogeneous control group consisting of 32 healthy individuals were submitted to a neurotological evaluation including the Tetrax Interactive Balance System posturography in eight different sensory conditions.
RESULTS:
For different positions, vertiginous patients with unilateral vestibular hypofunction showed significantly higher values of general stability index, weight distribution index, right/left and tool/heel synchronizations, Fourier transformation index and fall index than controls.
CONCLUSION:
Increased values in the indices of weight distribution, right/left and tool/heel synchronizations, Fourier transformation and fall risk characterize the impairment of postural control in patients with vertigo and unilateral vestibular hypofunction.
Postural balance; Vestibular function tests; Physiological nystagmus; Vestibular diseases