Equilibrium function in patients with chronic encephalopathy as an indicator of compensation level in cerebral circulation insufficiency

: The equilibrium function of 52 patients suffering from chronic hypertensive encephalopathy was examined using a stabilographic method combined with provocative tests. It was found that their static and dynamic equilibrium declined when compared to that of healthy subjects of matched age. Dynamic equilibrium varied to the greatest extent, especially their capacity of responding adequately to strong stimuli, whereas static equilibrium changed in a far lesser degree. Comparison of the functional stability of the equilibrium system and the compensation level of cerebral circulation lesions revealed significant (p less than 0.01) changes in patients with varying degree of compensation. This observation suggests that the factor of functional stability can be used to measure the level of compensation of cerebral circulation lesions.