The Sensory Organization Test (SOT): How We Measure Balance and Why It Matters
Balance is something most of us take for granted until we lose it. Whether from injury, illness, or aging, problems with balance can seriously affect mobility and quality of life. That’s where the Sensory Organization Test (SOT) comes in. This powerful assessment helps clinicians pinpoint which of the body’s sensory systems are contributing to a person’s balance difficulties.
“The Sensory Organization Test is one of the most insightful tools we have for understanding balance impairments. By isolating the visual, proprioceptive, and vestibular systems we can pinpoint the source or sources of imbalance and guide more effective, individualized rehabilitation,” shares Dr. Kamran Barin, Director of Movement Science at Bertec.
Using advanced technology like the Bertec CDP/IVR system,
How does the SOT work?
The Sensory Organization Test is a non-invasive assessment designed to evaluate how well a person integrates sensory information to maintain balance under different conditions. During the assessment the subject stands on a platform while visual and surface conditions are systematically altered. The idea is to create scenarios that selectively reduce or distort sensory input from one system to observe how the body compensates.
There are six different conditions in the SOT, each challenging a different combination of sensory inputs. For example, standing on a firm surface with eyes open involves receiving information from all three systems, while standing on a sway-referenced surface with eyes closed primarily involves the vestibular system.
The Three Sensory Systems Involved in Balance
Visual System: Your eyes give your brain critical information about your surroundings, such as horizon lines and motion. When visual input is disrupted—by closing your eyes or using a moving visual backdrop—the brain must rely more heavily on other senses to stay balanced.
Proprioceptive System: Also known as somatosensory input, this system involves feedback from muscles and joints about body position and movement. Conditions that alter the firmness or stability of the surface underfoot (like foam or a moving platform) challenge this system.
Vestibular System: Housed in the inner ear, this system detects head motion and spatial orientation. When both visual and proprioceptive inputs are compromised, the vestibular system becomes the main source of balance information.
How to Administer an Accurate SOT
The Bertec CDP system is an advanced platform used to administer the SOT with high precision. It uses a dynamic force plate to measure subtle shifts in the center of gravity, while also providing visual surround manipulation. This allows clinicians to isolate and assess each sensory system’s contribution to balance.
Bertec’s technology provides real-time, objective data that helps identify which sensory system may be underperforming or unreliable. This information is crucial to rehabilitation specialists to design more effective and individualized exercise and therapy programs for various balance impairments.
Why It Matters
Identifying the source of a balance impairment is the first step in creating a targeted rehabilitation plan. With the detailed insights provided by the SOT and Bertec CDP, clinicians can tailor therapy to strengthen weaker systems, improve compensation strategies, and ultimately reduce the risk of falls.
Learn more about our CDP here
