Assessment of the Balance and Dizziness Objectification in Patients with Vestibular Bilous Headache

Abstract

Study Objective: To study the balance in patients with vestibular bilious headache (BH) and possible use of a special comprehensive stabilometrical program for dizziness objectification in them. Study Design: open comparative study. Materials and Methods. The study included 188 patients. Group 1 were 94 patients with confirmed BH (according to the International Headache Classification). Group 2 were 94 patients with common migraine. The stabilometrical control group included 94 healthy subjects. The balance and dizziness objectification were assessed using a special comprehensive method comprising a set of stabilometrical tests. Study Results. The most marked changes in stabilometrical parameters were recorded in patients with BH. Primary frequency spectra of these patients were in a range of 0.3 Hz and above 2 Hz, showing the dysfunction of the postural system and vestibular component in particular. The rate of pressure centre deviation and statokinesigram area were increased in the patients from group 2 vs controls; however, statistically significant differences were noted only in opticokinetic test, sensory and vestibular, and closed-eye tandem results. Comparison of the two clinical groups demonstrates significant differences in basic stabilometrical parameters of all challenge tests. Visual control exclusion as well as substandard visual stimulation had significant impact on changes in the analysed parameters. Conclusion. The use of special stabilometrical tests (opticokinetic stimulation, sensory and vestibular and tandem tests) described in this article allows assessing the balance, quantifying vestibular dysfunction in patients with BH, and objectifying dizziness. Keywords: dizziness, balance, vestibular migraine, computer-aided stabilometry.