Intersession reliability of a posturo-stabilometric test, using a force platform.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To evaluate the intersession reliability of a posturo-stabilometric examination.

METHODS

Single blind clinical trial conducted in two sessions over two weeks. 44 healthy volunteers free from postural and temporomandibular disorders. All the subjects complied with the criteria for completing the study. All the subjects underwent two sessions of posturo-stabilometric examinations in different visual and mandibular conditions. Sway area, sway length and the coordinates of the center of pressure were evaluated and statistically analyzed using the Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC).

RESULTS

All the posturo-stabilometric parameters seemed to have an excellent reproducibility with overall ICCs higher than 70% and good confidence intervals except for the sway area (ICC 0.422 with CI 0.283-0.560 with open eyes and ICC 0.554 with CI 0.424-0.683 with closed eyes).

CONCLUSIONS

The posturo-stabilometric examination carried out using a force platform has a good intrasession and intersession reliability, especially considering sway velocity, COP X and COP Y parameters. The force platform usefulness in analyzing static posture is confirmed in any medical field.