Acoustic Environmental Conditions (Do Not?) Affect the Static Posturography Diagnostic Accuracy: A Test–Retest Reliability Study

Abstract

Static posturography assessed with force platforms is a procedure used to obtain objective estimates related to postural adjustments. However, controlling multiple intrinsic and extrinsic factors influencing the diagnostic accuracy is essential to obtain reliable measurements and recommend its use with clinical or research purposes. We aimed to analyze how different environmental acoustic conditions affect the test–retest reliability and to analyze the most appropriate number of trials to calculate a valid mean average score. A diagnostic accuracy study was conducted enrolling 27 healthy volunteers. All procedures were taken considering consistent device settings, posture, feet position, recording time, and illumination of the room. Three trials were recorded in a silent environment (35–40 dB) and three trials were recorded in a noisy environment (85–90 dB). Results showed comparable reliability estimates for both acoustic conditions (ICC = 0.453–0.962 and 0.621–0.952), but silent conditions demonstrated better sensitivity to changes (MDC = 13.6–76%). Mean average calculations from 2 and 3 trials showed no statistically significant differences (p > 0.05). Cross-sectional studies can be conducted under noisy or silent conditions as no significantly different scores were obtained (p > 0.05) and ICC were comparable (except oscillation area). However, longitudinal studies should consider silent conditions as they demonstrated better sensitivity to real changes not derived from measurement errors.

Keywords

• diagnostic accuracy
• reliability
• postural balance
• stabilometry
• noise
• environment