Body Balance in Patients of Vestibular Migraine with and without Visual Vertigo: A study on Computerized Dynamic Posturography (CDP)

Abstract

Objectives : To evaluate the body balance of vestibular migraine (VM) patients with and without visual vertigo on a computerized dynamic posturography (CDP). Methods : The subjects included two main groups: a control group of 20 healthy subjects, and the study group included 20 VM subjects with normal caloric test. The study group was further subdivided into two subgroups [vestibular migraine with visual vertigo (VM-VV) and those without visual vertigo (VM Ø VV)]. Comparisons as regards [stability index (SI), speed, surface area (SA), index of postural instability (IIP), and power indices of various frequency ranges] of the center of pressure at all six conditions were applied between control and vestibular migraineurs subgroups. Results : One-way ANOVA revealed statistically signi fi cant differences between groups ( P < 0.05). The post hoc test revealed signi fi cant differences as regards SA and speed between control healthy and VM-VV in all six conditions, in fi ve of the six conditions as regards IIP and SI, as well as in four of the six conditions as regards power indices of different frequency ranges. Statistically signi fi cant differences were found between vestibular migraine subgroups in conditions with a moving atmosphere at some parameters. Conclusion : Vestibular migraineurs with visual vertigo express signi fi cant abnormalities in body balance control. These patients have some sort of reliance on their vision to maintain balance. The presence of visually busy surroundings, like a moving atmosphere, creates an overload on the exhausted vestibular system of such patients. CDP contributes to fi lling in gaps in the diagnosis of VM, giving insight into the underlying pathology of VM.