Balance function and sensory integration after mild traumatic brain injury

Abstract

Objective: This study examined the disparities in balance functions and sensory integration in patients with mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBIs) and healthy controls.

Participants: One hundred and seven patients with mTBI and 107 age- and sex-matched controls were recruaited for this study.

Primary measures: Symptoms of dizziness, balance functions and the ability to perform daily activities were assessed using the dizziness handicap inventory (DHI). This study also performed the postural-stability test and a modified clinical test of sensory integration by using the Biodex Stability System (BBS).

Results: DHI scores (functional, emotional, physical and total self-reported scores) were substantially increased in patients following an mTBI compared with the scores of the controls (p < 0.000). The postural-stability test indices (anterior-posterior) (p = 0.045) and the sensory-integration test index (eyes-open-firm-surface index) (p = 0.006) were substantially lower in patients with mTBI than in the controls. However, indices of two other postural-stability test indices (overall and medial-lateral) and three other sensory-integration tests indices (eyes-closed-firm-surface, eyes-open-foam-surface and eyes-closed-foam-surface) measured for the mTBI group did not differ from those of the control group.

Conclusion: Activities of daily living, balance in postural stability and sensory integration were strongly impaired in patients with mTBI.

• Balance function
• mild traumatic brain injury
• postural stability
• sensory integration

Acknowledgements

We thank the Neural Regenerative Medicine Center of Taipei Medical University for their assistance during the study

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. This study was supported by research grants from the National Science Council, Taiwan (98-2321-B-038-003-MY3 and 98-2321-B-038-005-MY3); Department of Health, Executive Yuan, Taiwan (101-TD-B-111-003); Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University (102 SHH-HCP-12).