Related Experiment Videos
Dynamic postural balance in ankylosing spondylitis patients
1Hoşdere Caddesi 23/14, A. Ayranci, 06550 Ankara, Turkey. eaydog@yahoo.com
Rheumatology (Oxford, England)
|November 10, 2005
Summary
Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) does not negatively impact dynamic postural stability compared to healthy individuals. The study found a minor association between balance and tragus-to-wall distance, suggesting posture may play a limited role.
Area of Science:
- Rheumatology
- Biomechanics
- Orthopedics
Background:
- Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disease primarily affecting the spine.
- Postural stability and balance are crucial for daily function and can be affected by spinal conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare dynamic balance in patients with AS versus healthy controls.
- To investigate the relationship between postural stability and various anthropometric and disease-specific measures in AS.
Main Methods:
- Seventy AS patients and 35 controls were assessed using the Biodex Stability System for anteroposterior (AP), mediolateral (ML), and overall (OA) stability indices.
- Correlation analyses examined the association between stability indices and disease duration, cervical rotation, tragus to wall distance (TWD), lumbar flexion, and BASMI score.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in AP, ML, or OA stability were observed between AS patients and controls at stability levels 4 and 8.
- A weak positive correlation was found between ML stability and TWD (r=0.249, P=0.038) at level 8.
- No other significant correlations were detected between stability indices and the measured clinical parameters.
Conclusions:
- Ankylosing spondylitis does not appear to impair dynamic postural stability.
- Tragus to wall distance (TWD) showed a minor association with mediolateral stability, suggesting a potential link between specific postural measures and balance.