Assessment of standing balance in normal versus cervical spondylotic myelopathy patients

BACKGROUND: The Romberg test is used to identify balance issues in patients with Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy (CSM), but has subjective interpretation. The purpose of this study is to evaluate force plate pressure readings during a Romberg test to quantify postural control. METHODS: Quantitative Romberg force plate readings with eyes open and closed in patients with CSM were obtained and changes in balance measurements were compared to a normal population (N = 28, mean age 39 ± 7 years). RESULTS: We identified 30 CSM patients with a mean age of 58 ± 10 years. Majority of patients presented with pain (90%) and neurologic symptoms (83%). Cord compression on imaging was identified in 90%. Mean eyes closed Romberg measurements were larger compared to eyes open measurements in CSM patients (p < 0.01). There was a larger change in Romberg (∆R) measurements in CSM compared to normals for total sway area (TSA, 14.18 vs 0.02 cm(2), p < 0.001) and average speed (AS, 2.07 vs 0.23 cm/s, p < 0.001). The presence of long tract signs produced larger ∆R (TSA, 15.35 vs 0.02 cm(2), p = 0.003; AS, 2.21 vs 0.23 cm/s, p = 0.001), and those with identified cord compression on imaging also had larger ∆R (TSA, 15.1 vs 0.02 cm(2), p < 0.001; AS, 2.17 vs 0.23 cm/s, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Standing balance can be quantified in patients with CSM and is worse when compared to a normal population. Long tract signs and cord compression in imaging translates to worse balance in myelopathic patients. The use of quantitative Romberg measurements help evaluate balance in CSM.