Computerized dynamic posturagraphy (CDP) is one of many technologies used to diagnose balance disorders. As opposed to other balance assessment tests that focus on isolated anatomical components, CDP analyzes multiple. It does this by leveraging the following protocols:
- Sensory Organization Test (SOT) – Used to examine how well the patient uses information from the vestibular, visual, and proprioceptive systems to control balance.
- Motor Control Test (MCT) – Analyzes the patient’s motor automatic reflex response to restore balance following sudden, unexpected forward and backward movements of the surface.
- Adaptation Test (ADT) – Has the patient perform “toes up” and “toes down” rotations of the surface to evaluate their ability to adapt to unexpected surface irregularities.
By combining all these protocols, the practitioner can obtain a more complete understanding of how the patient’s balance system is functioning. This is particularly useful because it has been estimated that with 50% of people suffering from chronic balance issues, there is no single cause, thus making CDP a very effective diagnostic tool. However, it can’t diagnose the source of the problem on its own, making it complementary to other clinical tests, like VNG.
Why Use CDP?
Sometimes a dizzy patient’s medical history, physical exam, and other diagnostic test results will be inconclusive. Likewise, there are instances when clinical results and findings are inconsistent with a patient’s history. In these scenarios, CDP can alert the clinician to problems including otherwise unsuspected pathologies.
During a CDP exam, a series of tests are administered to measure how well a patient can maintain their balance under various conditions. Many of the tests are designed to replicate conditions people experience every day. Others are administered solely for the purpose of determining the source of the balance problems. CDP is considered to be the most advanced and wildly used diagnostic tool for evaluating balance disorders, according to the National Dizzy and Balance Center.
How it Works
The patient stands on a platform with sensors that measure how well they maintain their balance as the surface moves under their feet. They are also placed in front of a movable visual screen to better test their vision and how it contributes to their balance dysfunction. More advanced and modern systems will use immersive virtual reality for the visual component of the exam.
The patient is supported by a safety harness to ensure they don’t fall and sustain an injury during testing. Tests are conducted with eyes open and eyes closed to see how they react with and without a visual stimulus. While they are taking the test, the practitioner observes for any reactions, such as body swaying, that are caused by unexpected, abrupt movements of the force plates and visual surrounding.
Bertec CDP/IVR
As a leader in balance assessment equipment sales and service solutions, e3 proudly offers the leading CDP system on the market, Bertec CDP-IVR. Leveraging immersive virtual reality and state-of-the-art dual-balance force plate technology, Bertec’s CDP/IVR increases the clinical value of CDP in both assessment and targeted therapy interventions, especially for patients suffering from dizziness, balance problems and/or motion sensitivity.
Because it uses immersive virtual reality, Bertec’s CDP/IVR offers endless training and visual assessment scenarios never before available to clinicians and impossible to generate with a traditional mechanical surround. This allows you to increase patient adaptability, variability, and motivation for patients at any level of treatment and recovery.
Additional Benefits of Bertec’s CDP/IVR:
- Immersive virtual reality training
- Expanded assessment and treatment protocols
- Enhanced visual stimulus
- Low profile for easy access
- Touch screen display and remote control
Interested in learning more about Bertec’s CDP/IVR? Get in touch with your local e3 office today! They’ll be happy to provide you with any additional information and even set up a personal demonstration. Get in touch today!
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