Posturography is a general term that covers all the techniques used to quantify postural control in upright stance in either static or dynamic conditions. Among them,
Computerized dynamic posturography (CDP), also called
test of balance (TOB), is a
non-invasive specialized clinical assessment technique used to quantify the
central nervous system adaptive mechanisms (
sensory,
motor and central) involved in the control of
posture and balance, both in normal (such as in
physical education and sports training) and abnormal conditions (particularly in the
diagnosis of
balance disorders and in
physical therapy and postural re-education). Due to the complex interactions among sensory, motor, and central processes involved in posture and balance, CDP requires different
protocols in order to differentiate among the many defects and impairments which may affect the patient's posture control system. Thus, CDP challenges it by using several combinations of visual and support surface stimuli and parameters.