Parameters of the crossing points between center of pressure and center of mass signals are potential markers of postural control efficiency.

Abstract

Posturographic signals were recorded for 384 subjects of different ages and with old persons with gait disturbances. Four conditions were used: Eyes Open/Closed vs. Head Normal/Bent Back. 'Center of Pressure' (CoP) signals were decomposed into 'Center of Mass' (CoM) and the remaining difference between Center of Pressure and Center of Mass (CoPM). The Zero-Crossing points in which the Center of Mass and Center of Pressure paths cross each other have been extracted. Velocity of CoM, velocity of CoPM and acceleration of CoPM in Zero-Crossing points were analyzed to be potential markers of balance efficiency. Three factors causing the deterioration of balance quality were analyzed: closing eyes, bending the head back and patient age. The influence of the given factors was measured using the significance p of the t-Student test and Cohen's d effect size and applied to differences for the logarithms of three of the mentioned above variables measured without and with the given deteriorating factor. In the majority of comparisons, the proposed new parameters of balance quality possessed higher statistical power to detect deteriorated balance quality than the standard parameters: standard deviation of the signal and ellipse area covering 90% of the signal envelope. Most valuable are the velocity and acceleration of CoPM for the medio-lateral direction. Logarithms of the analyzed parameters are proposed to be used in analyses because they possess normal or close to normal distribution and they are less sensitive to single high values occurring often in measurements.