Why the NeuroCom Balance SOT is Key for Fall Prevention as We Age

By Mathieu Gagnon

Aging is associated with progressive changes in the systems that control balance including: vision, vestibular function, proprioception, and central nervous system integration. These changes contribute to greater postural sway, decreased stability, and a markedly increased risk of falls. Falls are a leading cause of injury, loss of independence, hospitalization, and reduced quality of life in older adults. Early andprecise assessment of balance function is therefore a critical first step in effective fall risk reduction and long-term functional health. 

The NeuroCom Balance Manager Sensory Organization Test (SOT)is one of the most advanced clinical tools available to objectively evaluate how well someone uses sensory information to maintain postural control in a variety of challenging conditions. By systematically manipulating visual and somatosensory cues while measuring your standing sway on a force platform, the SOT quantifies balance performance across six sensory conditions and generates equilibrium scores that reflect overall stability. Higher scores indicate better balance control.

Key Benefits of getting an SOT Assessment in Older Adults 

1. Identifies Specific Sensory Deficits Contributing to Instability
   The SOT breaks down balance control into individual sensory components (vision, somatosensory, vestibular, and visual preference) allowing clinicians to detect which systems are underperforming. Research in adults aged 80 and older shows that vestibular‐based balance control deteriorates more than other systems with age, with significant declines seen after age 85. This nuanced understanding directs more targeted interventions (e.g., vestibular rehabilitation) rather than generic balance training. 
2. Predicts Fall Risk More Accurately than Functional Observation Alone
   Evidence indicates that lower SOT composite scores are associated with an increased incidence of new falls in independent older adults over 80. The objective results collected from our SOT assessment, especially when combined with other simple functional measures, improve the prediction of future falls, giving clinicians actionable fall risk stratification data.  
3. Quantifies Baseline Function and Tracks Change Over Time
   The SOT demonstrates good reliability and can detect clinically meaningful improvements in balance performance. Reliable balance metrics are essential to monitor response to rehabilitative interventions, adjust therapy strategies, and demonstrate measurable progress toward fall risk reduction targets.  
4. Supports Better Clinical Decision Making and Personalized Treatment Planning
   Objective data from the SOT supports evidence-based decisions regarding appropriate therapies, such as balance training, vestibular rehabilitation, strength and flexibility work, or multi-sensory integration training. This data allows us to tailor interventions to an individual’s specific sensory deficits and enhances the effectiveness and efficiency of rehabilitation.