Normative Data for the Sensory Organization Test Protocol in a Regional Sample of Healthy Female and Male Adults
Description
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to provide and analyze age- and sex-stratified normative data from a cohort of adults without balance impairment that completed the Sensory Organization Test (SOT) protocol using the Bertec® Balance Advantage CDP/IVR system. Secondary goals included determining whether there are age- and sex-related differences in postural control. Method: The SOT was administered to participants with reportedly normal balance. Bodily sway was measured during six conditions (SOT 1–6) in which visual and somatosensory cues were altered/denied in various combinations. Subjects’ fall history, previous balance training experiences, and current dizziness/imbalance symptoms were collected using a questionnaire. Responses on the survey were analyzed along with the generated Equilibrium Scores (ES) and Sensory Scores. Results: Older adults were found to have greater difficulty maintaining static balance in conditions where visual cues were denied/distorted and dynamic balance in more complex sensory environments. Male subjects were generally found to be more affected by age-related declines to the balance control system than female subjects. None of the anthropometric variables analyzed were found to be adequately predictive of balance performance. Conclusions: Balance screenings should be considered for male adults at an earlier age than in female adults. Fall prevention and rehabilitation programs should involve evaluation of the subject’s sensory systems, physical environment, and consideration of both objective (e.g., SOT results) and self-reported measures (e.g., fall history). Comprehensive assessment and care of those at increased risk of falling will require interdisciplinary collaboration.
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Steps to reproduce
Subjects completed the Sensory Organization Test on the Bertec Balance Advantage CDP/IVR system while harnessed and barefoot. Three, 20-second trials were performed for each of the six test conditions in the SOT (18 trials overall). Subjects were directed to stand as still as possible with their arms at their side during each trial. Instructions also included a description of the SOT’s progression, which begins with easy tasks and slowly progresses to more difficult tasks. Testing was conducted using a dedicated computer desktop and results were recorded for each of the 18 trials digitally on the Bertec® computer software. The report generated by the Bertec® software displayed a mean Equilibrium Score (ES) for the individual conditions, a Composite Equilibrium Score, Strategy Analysis scores, and Sensory Analysis scores (somatosensory, visual, vestibular, and preference). A two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was applied to the average Equilibrium Score for each of the six SOT conditions and the Composite Equilibrium Score to help determine if there is an effect of age and/or biological sex on performance. The mean score for each condition was based on the average of all three trials in each condition. Post hoc Tukey’s HSD calculations were applied to all conditions to investigate the effect of age and biological sex on specific subgroups. Correlational analyses were conducted examining the subjects’ height, weight, number of falls, length of balance experience, mean Equilibrium Scores, Composite Equilibrium Scores, and Sensory Scores to help determine which factors may be predictive of performance on the Sensory Organization Test.