Sensory organization test results for maintaining an upright balance in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and patients with peripheral vestibular disorders

Objective:To research the differences of sensory organization testing in maintaining postural stability between patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and patients with peripheral vertigo using computerized posturography. Methods:Participants were divided into the control group （52 cases）, the type 2 diabetes mellitus group （T2DM） （45 cases）, and the peripheral vertigo group （PV） （47 cases）. All participants were examined under six conditions by computerized posturography: The sensory organization test, a part of computerized dynamic posturography, was used to assess the abilities of vision, somatosensory and vestibular systems in maintaining postural stability. Results:The scores of statokinesiogram （SKG） of the T2DM group in condition 1 （standing on static platform with eye open）, condition 4（standing on foam platform with eyes open） and condition 6（standing on foam platform with servo-controlled vision） were significantly greater than that in the vertigo group （P<0.01）. The visual scores in the T2DM group were lower than those of the PV group（P<0.01） in the anteroposterior and lateral directions. Conclusion:Patients with type 2 diabetes and peripheral vertigo have a decreased ability to maintain balance in the upright position. Patients with type 2 diabetes have a poorer ability to maintain balance with visual systems than patients with peripheral vertigo.