Alexander T Peebles1, Adam P Bruetsch2, Sharon G Lynch3, Jessie M Huisinga4. 1. Landon Center on Aging, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS; Bioengineering Graduate Program, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS. 2. Landon Center on Aging, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS. 3. Department of Neurology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS. 4. Landon Center on Aging, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS; Bioengineering Graduate Program, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS; Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS. Electronic address: jhuisinga@kumc.edu.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To compare physiological impairments between persons with multiple sclerosis (MS) with a history of falls and persons with MS without a history of falls, and to investigate the association between physiological impairments and dynamic balance. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: University motion analysis laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: Persons with MS (N=55; 27 recurrent fallers and 28 nonfallers). Participants were classified as fallers if they self-reported ≥2 falls in the previous 6 months. INTERVENTIONS: None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Physiological impairment was assessed with sensorimotor delays, spasticity, plantar cutaneous sensation, and the sensory, cerebellar, and pyramidal subscales of the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS). Dynamic balance was assessed using the average and variability of margin of stability and variability of trunk accelerations. RESULTS: Compared with nonfallers, fallers had lower plantar sensation, longer sensorimotor delays, more spasticity, and more impairment in the pyramidal and cerebellar subscales of the EDSS. Additionally, these impairments were all moderately to strongly correlated with worse dynamic balance. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the multifactorial nature of instability in persons with MS. A better understanding of the physiological mechanisms of dynamic instability in persons with MS can be used to improve methods of monitoring disease progression, identifying which impairments to target through interventions, and appropriately evaluating intervention efficacy.
OBJECTIVES: To compare physiological impairments between persons with multiple sclerosis (MS) with a history of falls and persons with MS without a history of falls, and to investigate the association between physiological impairments and dynamic balance. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: University motion analysis laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: Persons with MS (N=55; 27 recurrent fallers and 28 nonfallers). Participants were classified as fallers if they self-reported ≥2 falls in the previous 6 months. INTERVENTIONS: None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Physiological impairment was assessed with sensorimotor delays, spasticity, plantar cutaneous sensation, and the sensory, cerebellar, and pyramidal subscales of the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS). Dynamic balance was assessed using the average and variability of margin of stability and variability of trunk accelerations. RESULTS: Compared with nonfallers, fallers had lower plantar sensation, longer sensorimotor delays, more spasticity, and more impairment in the pyramidal and cerebellar subscales of the EDSS. Additionally, these impairments were all moderately to strongly correlated with worse dynamic balance. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the multifactorial nature of instability in persons with MS. A better understanding of the physiological mechanisms of dynamic instability in persons with MS can be used to improve methods of monitoring disease progression, identifying which impairments to target through interventions, and appropriately evaluating intervention efficacy.
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