A Comparison of Balance Performance of the Sensory Organization Test to the Head Shake Sensory Organization Test in Healthy Adults

ObjectiveTo compare equilibrium scores between computerized dynamic posturography tests of the Sensory Organization Test (SOT) to the Head Shake-Sensory Organization Test (HS-SOT) in healthy adults.BackgroundApproximately 50% of the brain's pathways are related to vision and many of these pathways are susceptible to injury in concussion. Visual-motor disruptions occur in 65%–90% of concussed patients. These disruptions impair balance and can be measured. The SOT is a computerized postural test that evaluates balance by altering visual, proprioceptive, and vestibular cues. The HS-SOT modifies 2 of the standard SOT conditions by including dynamic head motions that stimulate the semicircular canals within the vestibular system.Design/MethodsParticipants completed the Dizziness Handicap Inventory, Activities of Balance Confidence Scale, SOT, and HS-SOT in one session.ResultsTwenty-five individuals (17 females, 8 males; mean age, 21.08 ± 4.10 years, range, 18–33 years) completed outcome measures and 3 trials of testing. There was a significant difference in mean values between the SOT and the HS-SOT for both condition 2 (t(16) = 3.034, p = 0.008) and 5 (t(16) = 5.706, p < 0.001). Additionally, there was a significant difference in mean values between the SOT and the foam HS-SOT for condition 2 (t(16) = 4.673, p < 0.001) and condition 5 (t(16) = 7.263, p < 0.001). There was not a significant difference in means between the foam and without foam for HS-SOT for condition 2 (t(16) = 1.77, p = 0.095) and condition 5 (t(16) = 1.825, p = 0.087).ConclusionsThe HS-SOT may quantify subtle balance deficits and enhance the clinical standard use of the SOT. Unlike the SOT where the head is static, the HS-SOT requires head movements, as if saying no repeatedly at approximately 100°/second as measured by an accelerometer. The HS-SOT may quantify subtle balance deficits and enhance the clinical standard use of the SOT.

Saying and shaking ˋNo'

In many instances, the head shake can be used instead of or in addition to verbal ˋNo'. Based on previous work on negation in dialogue, we observe head shaking as answer particles and as responding to an implicit or an exophoric (i.e., real world situation) antecedent. Exophoric head shake, however, seems to come in two flavours: with positive and with negative emotional valuation of the antecedent situation. We provide semantic analyses for all three uses (and a head nod) within an HPSG version which is implemented in Type Theory with Records and the dialogue framewok KoS. In particular, we extend on previous work by grounding ˋˋexophoric negation'' in positive or negative appraisal. Finally, we briefly speculate about differences between verbal ˋNo' and head shaking due to (the lack of) simultaneity.

Stationary auditory white noise improves postural control in healthy adults: A novel study on head-shaking

BACKGROUND: Auditory cues might play a role in postural control. OBJECTIVE: The primary aim of this study was to investigate the association between white noise and head-shake (HS) related changes in postural sway. METHODS: Fifty healthy adults underwent Synapsys Posturography System (SPS) evaluation. The posturography (PG) evaluation consisted of two protocols: sensory organization test (SOT) and SOT with head-shake (HS) (HS-SOT). The standard SOT protocol of SPS involves a battery of six postural conditions. In the current study, participants underwent only four SOT conditions. The participants were asked to stand barefoot on the SPS platform (static platform and foam). The SOT standing conditions were as follow: (1) firm surface (force platform only) with eyes open (SOT1); (2) firm surface with eyes closed (SOT2); (3) foam surface (which was positioned on the force platform) with eyes open (SOT4); and (4) foam surface with eyes closed (SOT5). For the HS-SOT protocol, we asked the participants to move their heads left and right (i.e., yaw head rotation) in the mentioned SOT conditions. Each postural condition was 10 seconds long. Both SOT and HS-SOT postural conditions were conducted across the two hearing modes of silence and noise. To achieve our aims, comparison of sway parameters between SOT and HS-SOT, and between hearing modes were considered. RESULTS: White noise was associated with a reduction in postural sway. The reduction observed in sway area, sway amplitude, and sway frequency. Moreover, HS significantly increased postural sway in all HS-SOT conditions compared to their SOT equivalents (i.e., HS-SOT1 compared to SOT1, etc.). The presence of white noise was associated with a decrease in the HS-related increase in postural sway. CONCLUSIONS: Considering the results, this study adds to the body of literature suggesting that white noise contributes to postural control, and the implications of this for rehabilitation need to be further investigated.

38 Effect of Breed on Dairy Calf Vigor from Birth to Preweaning

There is a stigma in the dairy industry that Brown Swiss calves are not as quick to stand and nurse following birth compared to other dairy breeds. The objective of this study is to determine if Brown Swiss calves are less vigorous at birth and if this affects their health status and early calf growth compared with the dairy industry’s most prominent breed, the Holstein. All calves (n = 25) were scored shortly after birth using a modified Apgar scoring system used for infants. Thirteen parameters divided into 5 categories were evaluated to determine overall vigor of each calf. These included visual scores for meconium staining and swelling of the head; initial mobility scores for time to lift head, time to stand, and ear position; general responsiveness scores included strength of the suckling reflex, head shake in response to straw in nasal cavity, tongue withdrawal when pinched, and eye reflex; oxygenation score for mucus membrane color; rates scores included heart rate, respiration rate, and temperature. In addition to the vigor scoring, a weight was taken at birth and 2 weeks post calving. Jugular blood samples were collected at birth, 24 hours later, and at 2 weeks of age, and serum was stored for later analysis of haptoglobin and IgG concentration. Vigor scores and weight data were analyzed by breed using the mixed procedure in SAS. The vigor score for suckling reflex was lower (P = 0.04) for Brown Swiss calves (1.69, n = 12) than Holstein calves (2.39, n = 13). A weakened suckling reflex can lead to more challenges when consuming colostrum. Early colostrum intake is vital to obtaining passive immunity and maintaining health status in young calves. All other vigor scores collected for the Brown Swiss and Holstein calves did not differ (P &gt; 0.05).

39 Effect of Breed on Dairy Calf Vigor from Birth to Preweaning

There is a stigma in the dairy industry that Brown Swiss calves are not as quick to stand and nurse following birth compared to other dairy breeds. The objective of this study is to determine if Brown Swiss calves are less vigorous at birth, and does this impact their health status and early calf growth compared with the dairy industry’s most prominent breed, the Holstein. All calves (n = 25) were scored shortly after birth using a modified Apgar scoring system used for infants. Thirteen parameters divided into 5 categories were evaluated to determine overall vigor of each calf, these included visual scores for meconium staining and swelling of the head; initial mobility scores for time to lift head, time to stand, and ear position; general responsiveness scores included strength of the suckling reflex, head shake in response to straw in nasal cavity, tongue withdrawal when pinched, and eye reflex; oxygenation score for mucus membrane color; rates scores included heart rate, respiration rate, and temperature. In addition to the vigor scoring a weight was taken at birth and 2 weeks post calving. Jugular blood samples were collected at birth, 24 hours later, and at 2 weeks of age and serum was stored for later analysis of haptoglobin and IgG concentration. Vigor scores and weight data were analyzed by breed using the mixed procedure in SAS. The vigor score for suckling reflex was lower (P = 0.04) for Brown Swiss calves (1.69, n = 12) than Holstein calves (2.39, n = 13). A weakened suckling reflex can lead to more challenges when consuming colostrum. Early colostrum intake is vital to obtaining passive immunity and maintaining health status in young calves. All other vigor scores collected for the Brown Swiss and Holstein calves did not differ (P &gt; 0.05).

Social Influences on Food Avoidance in Lemur catta

Previous primate research has demonstrated social learning related to accepting novel foods, but little evidence suggests social learning of food avoidance. Ring-tailed lemurs (<i>Lemur catta</i>)<i></i>have been observed to shake their heads rapidly in response to sour and bitter stimuli. This study investigated whether this head-shaking behavior may have a social function. The experiment presented a performing lemur with two items of the same type of fruit, one of which had been manipulated to take on a sour flavor, and the other which was not manipulated and served as a control. The performer could taste each of the stimuli while an observing lemur had the opportunity to watch the performer’s behavior from an adjacent enclosure. The observer was then presented with two stimuli with the same qualities. This study evaluated whether a preceding head-shaking reaction by the performer improved the success rate of the observer avoiding bitter stimuli to greater than chance. Our results reveal that following a head shake by the performer in response to the sour stimuli, observer avoidance of sour stimuli was statistically greater than chance, indicating that there may be social influences on food avoidance in this species. Further research should focus on confirming this effect and characterizing the full set of socially influential food reaction behaviors.

Validity of Postural Sway Assessment on the Biodex BioSway™ Compared With the NeuroCom Smart Equitest

Context: Current tools for sideline assessment of balance following a concussion may not be sufficiently sensitive to identify impairments, which may place athletes at risk for future injury. Quantitative field-expedient balance assessments are becoming increasingly accessible in sports medicine and may improve sensitivity to enable clinicians to more readily detect these subtle deficits. Objective: To determine the validity of the postural sway assessment on the Biodex BioSway™ compared with the gold standard NeuroCom Smart Equitest System. Design: Cross-sectional cohort study. Setting: Clinical research laboratory. Participants: Forty-nine healthy adults (29 females: 24.34 [2.45] y, height 163.65 [7.57] cm, mass 63.64 [7.94] kg; 20 males: 26.00 [3.70] y, height 180.11 [7.16] cm, mass 82.97 [12.78] kg). Intervention(s): The participants completed the modified clinical test of sensory interaction in balance on the Biodex BioSway™ with 2 additional conditions (head shake and firm surface; head shake and foam surface) and the Sensory Organization Test and Head Shake Sensory Organization Test on the NeuroCom Smart Equitest. Main Outcome Measures: Interclass correlation coefficient and Bland–Altman limits of agreement for Sway Index, equilibrium ratio, and area of 95% confidence ellipse. Results: Fair–good reliability (interclass correlation coefficient = .48–.65) was demonstrated for the stance conditions with eyes open on a firm surface. The Head Shake Sensory Interaction and Balance Test condition on a firm surface resulted in fair reliability (interclass correlation coefficient = .50–.59). The authors observed large ranges for limits of agreement across outcome measures, indicating that the systems should not be used interchangeably. Conclusions: The authors observed fair reliability between BioSway™ and NeuroCom, with better agreement between systems with the assessment of postural sway on firm/static surfaces. However, the agreement of these systems may improve by incorporating methods that mitigate the floor effect in an athletic population (eg, including a head shake condition). BioSway™ may provide a surrogate field-expedient measurement tool.