Clinical Significance of Head Movement While Stepping

Abstract

Head movement of normal subjects and patients with peripheral vestibular disorders while stepping was recorded using three accelerometers, a multi-channel telemeter and a microcomputer. The head movement registered from normal subjects was stable at a stepping speed of 1.2 or 1.4 stepslsec. Patients with peripheral vestibular disorders (except for BPPV) showed sigmfkantly greater head movement values in all three directions and smaller ratios of anteroposterior component to lateral component in the head movement, as compared with those of normal subjects.A close relationship between head movement and vestibular functions has been verified by our previous works (Taguchi, 1982~7, 1982b. Head movement can be recorded mechanically, optically, or by m a n s of an accelerometer, though it will be very difficult to register the head movement exactly while stepping, walking, or running. The application of accelerometers with telemetering technique seems to be most appropriate of its usefulness and for economical reasons.The authors attempted to measure head movement for clinical purposes by using accelerometers while the subject was stepping. MATERIALS AND METHODSgravity in patients with peripheral vestibular disorders. Practica Otologica (Kyoto) 75, 281. Taguchi, K. 19826. Effect of optokinetic stimulation on head movement in patients with Mtniire's disease. Practica Otologica (Kyoto) 75, 1271.

Physical findings in patients with dizziness undergoing a group exercise programme

“…It is not unlikely that this important function of the vestibular system is impaired in UVD patients. Limitation with respect to stabilization in gait, has been reported in this group of patients [172][173][174]. The greatest change was seen along the ML axis and the ability to attenuate acceleration along this axis has previously been suggested to be of particular importance for balance control [119,177].…”

“…Poor trunk control [171], reduced trunk motion [172] and excessive head movements compared to healthy persons [173,174] have been described in relation to walking. It is possible that the normal trunk-head stabilisation processes are disturbed resulting in problems with balance and visual stability [30].…”