Critical evaluation of the benefits and limitations of foam posturography in vestibular disorders: a narrative review

TL;DR

This paper reviews foam posturography's role in assessing vestibular disorders, highlighting its benefits and limitations in clinical practice.

Contribution

The paper provides a critical synthesis of foam posturography's utility and limitations in vestibular assessment.

Findings

Foam posturography is reliable and cost-effective for evaluating vestibular function.

Non-standardized protocols and lack of normative data limit its widespread use.

It supports objective diagnosis and monitoring of vestibular pathologies.

Abstract

This review synthesises current evidence on the clinical utility of foam-based posturography in the assessment of vestibular pathologies. It critically evaluates: (1) the physiological mechanisms underlying foam posturography and its capacity to determine vestibular contributions; (2) methodological variability across testing protocols, including differences in foam properties, stance conditions and measurement parameters; (3) the diagnostic sensitivity, specificity and reliability of foam posturography in various vestibular disorders; (4) its performance relative to other balance and vestibular assessments to determine reciprocity; and (5) its applications in rehabilitation. The review also highlights current gaps and challenges, proposing future directions aimed at standardising foam posturography protocols and strengthening their integration into routine clinical practice as part of comprehensive vestibular assessment. Foam posturography is a robust, reliable, and cost-effective method that alters the reliability and quality of somatosensory input to evaluate the role of vestibular function. It provides objective measures to support the diagnosis of vestibulopathies and distinguish between pathologies and monitor the results of rehabilitation. Limitations include non-standardised methodology and availability of normative data. However, its affordability and portability make it a practical and valuable adjunct in both clinical and research settings.

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