Electronic Baropodometry in Patients Affected by Ocular Torticollis

March 2011, Vol. 19, No. 1 , Pages 21-25 (doi:10.3109/09273972.2010.545469)
1Eye Clinic, Department of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
2Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Department of Neurology and Psychiatric Science, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
3Medical Statistic, Department of Internal Medicine and Public Health, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
Correspondence: Mario Bellizzi, Eye Clinic, Department of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology, University of Bari, G. Cesare Square 11, 70124 BARI ITALY. Phone: +39 80 5478912. Fax: +39 80 5478918. E-mail:



Aims: To evaluate, by means of electronic baropodometry (EB), the postural findings in patients affected by ocular torticollis.

Methods: Posturographic analysis (length of the sway path, sway area, and mean velocity) was made in 54 patients with IV palsy, Duane Syndrome, or rectus superior palsy (group A) and compared with a control group of 45 healthy subjects (group B). The test was performed with both eyes open, then both closed, then with the affected eye open, and finally with the healthy eye open.

Results: With both eyes open or closed, the length of the sway path, the sway area, and mean velocity were significantly increased in group A compared with group B (P<0.0001). When the open eye was the one with the muscular paresis, the length of the sway path was significantly increased as compared with the healthy eye (P<0.0001), and the sway area was increased too (P<0.029). No statistical differences were observed mean velocity according to which eye was open (P=NS).

Conclusions: EB is a useful instrument for studying secondary postural anomalies in patients affected by OT.