Vestibular evoked myogenic potential (Vemp): evaluation of responses in normal subjects. (73/183)

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Vibrotactile tilt feedback improves dynamic gait index: a fall risk indicator in older adults. (74/183)

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Hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy Lom type in a Serbian family. (75/183)

Hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy Lom type (HMSNL), also called CMT 4D, a hereditary autosomal recessive neuropathy, caused by mutation in N-Myc downstream regulated gene 1 (NDRG1 gene), was first described in a Bulgarian Gypsy population near Lom and later has been found in Gypsy communities in Italy, Spain, Slovenia and Hungary. We present two siblings with HMSNL, female and male, aged 30 and 26, respectively in a Serbian non-consanguineous family of Gypsy ethnic origin. They had normal developmental milestones. Both had symptoms of lower limb muscle weakness and walking difficulties with frequent falls, which began at the age of seven. At the age of 12, they developed hearing problems and at the age of 15 hand muscle weakness. Neurological examination revealed sensorineural hearing loss, dysarthria, severe distal and mild proximal muscle wasting and weakness, areflexia and impairment of all sensory modalities of distal distribution. Electrophysiological study revealed denervation with severe and early axonal loss. Sensorineural hearing loss was confirmed on electrocochleography and brainstem evoked potentials. Molecular genetic testing confirmed homozygote C564t (R148X) mutation in NDRG1 gene.  (+info)

Poor postural stability in children with vertigo and vergence abnormalities. (76/183)

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Usefulness of some current balance tests for identifying individuals with disequilibrium due to vestibular impairments. (77/183)

The goal of this study was to determine which of several clinical balance tests best identifies patients with vestibular disorders. We compared the scores of normals and patients on the Berg Balance Scale (Berg), Dynamic Gait Index (DGI), Timed Up and Go (TUG), Computerized Dynamic Posturography Sensory Organization Test (SOT), and a new obstacle avoidance test: the Functional Mobility Test (FMT). The study was performed in an out-patient balance laboratory at a tertiary care center. Subjects were 40 normal adults, and 40 adults with vestibular impairments. The main outcome measures were the sensitivity of tests to patients and specificity to normals. When adjusted for age the Berg, TUG, DGI and FMT had moderate sensitivity and specificity. SOT had moderately high sensitivity and specificity. SOT and FMT, combined, had high sensitivity and moderate specificity. Therefore, the kinds of tests of standing and walking balance that clinicians may use to screen patients for falling are not as good for screening for vestibular disorders as SOT. SOT combined with FMT is better. When screening patients for vestibular disorders, when objective diagnostic tests of the vestibular system, itself, are unavailable, tests of both standing and walking balance, together, give the most information about community-dwelling patients. These tests may also indicate the presence of sub-clinical balance problems in community-dwelling, asymptomatic adults.  (+info)

Vestibular rehabilitation: clinical benefits to patients with Parkinson's disease. (78/183)

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Quantitative assessment of posture stability using computerised dynamic posturography in type 2 diabetic patients with neuropathy and its relation to glycaemic control. (79/183)

INTRODUCTION: Patients with diabetic neuropathy have an imbalance, which comes with a higher risk of falls. The aim of this study was to assess posture stability using computerised dynamic posturography in type 2 diabetics mellitus patients with neuropathy as well as its relation to glycaemic control. METHODS: 54 type 2 diabetics mellitus patients with peripheral neuropathy were recruited, together with 18 type 2 diabetics mellitus patients without peripheral neuropathy acting as the control group. The first group was divided into two subgroups according to glycaemic control assessed by HbA1c (A1c), the first subgroup comprising 24 patients had good glycaemic control with A1c less than or equal to seven percent and the second subgroup with 30 patients had poor glycaemic control with A1c more than 7 percent. The postural stability was evaluated using dynamic posturography. RESULTS: The composite equilibrium score, sensory organisation test 1, 2 and 3 conditions were significantly lower in the neuropathic group as compared to the non-neuropathic group (p-value is less than 0.001). A1c was significantly correlated with the composite equilibrium score in the neuropathic group with poor glycaemic control (r-value equal to -0.395) but not correlated in the neuropathic group with good glycaemic control (r-value equal to 0.151). CONCLUSION: Posture instability in type 2 diabetic patients with peripheral neuropathy reflects an impairment of the somatosensory system; also, poor glycaemic control resulted in more posture instability. The early detection of imbalance using dynamic posturography and achieving good glycaemic control may be of great help in the prevention of falls in such patients.  (+info)

Vestibular function in children underperforming at school. (80/183)

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