Postural organization in patients with hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy

The postural organization in patients with hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy (HMSN) type I or II was studied clinically by means of a force platform. Balance was registered in 14 barefooted HMSN patients and healthy matched control subjects during quiet stance. The effect of visual deprivation was tested to determine the degree of visual dependency. The effect of the simultaneous performance of a concurrent attention-demanding task (Stroop task) was tested to estimate the level of balance automaticity. In comparison with control subjects, the HMSN patients showed a basically decreased efficiency of postural control (p less than .01) as well as an increased visual control of posture (p less than .05) in both directions of sway. No loss of balance automaticity was found, which suggested an on-line central adaptation to the slowly developing peripheral impairments. The results provide a starting point for understanding the balance problems and gross motor disabilities in HMSN patients.