The Effect of Different Sensory Conditions on Sensory Interaction in Balance

Bezmialem Vakif University31 enrolled

Overview

The ability of humans to maintain spatial orientation and balance control relies on accurate and complete sensory information. This study aims to investigate the effects of different sensory conditions on the sway index (balance). Adults with normal hearing, vision, and balance abilities will perform the Modified Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction on Balance (mCTSIB), a test from the Biodex Balance System, under varying sensory conditions. The first sensory condition involves situations where the cursor indicating the individual's center of gravity on the device is either visible or hidden. The second condition examines whether the eyes-closed state during the test is achieved through voluntary eye closure or by external equipment (e.g., goggles or eye patches). The values obtained will allow comparisons of the effects of different sensory conditions on the sway index. The study will be conducted between January 2025 and March 2025 at the Bezmialem Vakıf University Cardiac Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Education and Research Laboratory with healthy young adults. Participants will be selected voluntarily, and the assessments will be conducted in compliance with the guidelines of the Declaration of Helsinki.

Study Type

OBSERVATIONAL

Enrollment

Conditions

Balance Assessment Sensory Science

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 45 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Being between the ages of 18 and 45. * Providing informed consent to participate in the study after receiving detailed information about the research. Exclusion Criteria: * Having visual or hearing impairments. * Presence of musculoskeletal, neurological, or orthopaedic conditions (e.g., lower extremity alignment disorders, excessive anteversion, severe pes planus) that could affect the study results. * Having mental or physical problems severe enough to impair communication. * Participation in any rehabilitation program within the past six months.

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Modified Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction on Balance (mCTSIB)

The assessment of postural control will be conducted using the Biodex Balance System® (BBS) (Biodex Medical Systems, Shirley, New York, USA). The BBS consists of a balance platform, handrails, a display, and a printer, it is a computer-assisted device with established validity and reliability, used to evaluate postural stability, limits of stability, and fall risk. The device features a movable platform capable of providing surface tilts up to 20˚ and a 360˚ range of motion, allowing individuals to move forward, backwards, left, and right. By altering the platform's tilt and range of motion, the difficulty level of the test can be adjusted. Mobility levels range from 1 (minimum) to 12 (maximum). This test evaluates how different sensory systems contribute to balance and assesses an individual's ability to compensate when one or more sensory inputs are compromised. The tests will be performed in the following sequence, and the sway index will be calculated for each test conducted.

Time frame: "From January 2025 to February 2025

Assessment Form

The "Assessment Form" will be used to record the demographic and medical history information of the healthy adult participants included in the study. The assessment form includes demographic details such as name, surname, gender, age, occupation, dominant side, and educational level, as well as medical and family history and the BBS assessment form.