OBJECTIVETo investigate the balance function of the patients with unilateral vestibular hypofunction (UVH) by timed balance tests and static posturography (SPG).

METHODSSixty-five subjects with UVH and 92 healthy subjects were taken the timed balance tests under differential stance including (1) standard Romberg test, (2) feet apart stance test, (3) tandem and (4) unilateral standing tests with eyes open and eyes closed. The average timing that subjects kept balance before falling in each standing conditions was recorded by stopwatch as the timed result. The body sway velocity during the test (1) and (2) were also recorded by the SPG.

RESULTSThe timed results of the tandem and unilateral standing with eyes open and eyes closed in the UVH group were decreased (P < 0.001) compared with the control group. The body sway velocity of the standard Romberg test and foot apart stance with eyes open was not different between the UVH group and control group (P-value was 0.118 and 0.110 for the two tests respectively), and the difference was significant in the eyes closed condition (P < 0.001). For the two groups, the body sway velocity of foot apart standing was decreased than that of the standard Romberg test with eyes open and eyes closed (P < 0.05 or P < 0.001). Significant correlations were not found between the timed results and sway velocity results in both two groups respectively (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSAccording to clinical assessment of balance function in UVH, the tandem and unilateral stance test could provide the additional information about the upright stance to the SPG measurement. The effect of foot position on the results of SPG should been considered in clinic.