New Head-Shake Test From NeuroCom®

NeuroCom has just enhanced the current gold standard for the assessment and management of patients with imbalance and mobility problems through the introduction of an active Head-Shake (HS) protocol to the Sensory
Organization Test (SOT) component of Computerized Dynamic Posturography (CDP). Both the sensitivity and specificity of the SOT have been significantly improved through the new protocol.

The Head-Shake-SOT (HS-SOT) enhances treatment planning and outcome
documentation by quantifying impairments related to the interaction between the sensory inputs (vision, vestibular and proprioception) and the motion of the head during the maintenance of balance. Coordinating the eyes, head, and postural balance are critical to safe, effective performance of many daily life mobility activities. Impairments in the interactions between the balance and eye-head systems are commonly reported in patients with balance system deficits.

The theory and application of the HS-SOT was originally designed by the U.S.
Naval Aerospace Medical Research Laboratory (NAMRL) to enhance the
sensitivity of the classic SOT of CDP for assessing pilots of high performance aircraft. Dr. Neil T. Shepard, while at the University of Michigan, subsequently applied this approach clinically and showed that the HS-SOT could easily identify abnormalities in patients who had compensated for a unilateral peripheral vestibular loss, a group that is not identified by the classic SOT. Based on those studies, as well as multiple other clinical and theoretical works (references), NeuroCom has developed the HS-SOT protocol for its Computerized Dynamic Posturography (CDP) systems.

The HS-SOT has clinical value in the rehabilitation and management of
patients with vertigo/dizziness, as well as cases involving return to
work/athletics decisions for injured patients. With the SOT already the most
cost-effective tool for targeting impairments for treatment (Laryngoscope
109:600-605), the HS-SOT adds new dimensions critical to effective treatment planning and outcomes.

NeuroCom International, Inc. is the leading manufacturer of computerized
systems for comprehensive management of patients with balance and mobility disorders. For additional information, go to www.onbalance.com or contact NeuroCom at (800) 767-6744 (US only), (503) 653-2144.