Stabilometry

Synonyms

Static posturography; Stabilography; Computerized stabilometry

Definition

Stabilometry is the objective study of body sway during quiet standing, i.e., stance in the absence of any voluntary movements or external perturbations. Conventionally, the study focuses on the properties of body sway during upright standing, thus far primarily measured by means of force plates. Sometimes, upper body sway is studied in sitting postures.

Purpose

Stabilometry aims at collecting information indicative of the steady-state functioning of the postural control system, and of its success in stabilizing the body against gravity, by examining the properties of measures, directly or indirectly related with postural sway.

Principles

Stabilometry is a valid, objective and functional evaluation of the postural control system in its steady-state behavior [1]. Quiet, upright stance is the basic, representative posture that is traditionally investigated in stabilometry although