Impaired postural stability in patients with cervical myelopathy: evaluation by computerized static stabilometry

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Biomechanics
• Clinical Medicine

Background:

• Proprioception is crucial for coordinated movement and postural stability.
• Cervical myelopathy can disrupt proprioceptive input, potentially affecting balance.
• Limited research has quantitatively assessed postural stability deficits in cervical myelopathy patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantitatively evaluate postural stability impairment in cervical myelopathy patients.
• To compare postural stability between patients with cervical myelopathy and healthy controls.
• To explore the relationship between clinical symptom severity and postural instability.

Main Methods:

• A prospective clinical study involving 52 cervical myelopathy patients and 29 healthy volunteers.
• Postural stability assessed using a stabilometer measuring center of gravity sway with eyes closed.
• Key parameters evaluated: Environmental Area (EA) and Locus Length per Environmental Area (L/EA).

Main Results:

• Cervical myelopathy patients showed significantly greater Environmental Area (EA) compared to controls (13.9 vs. 2.74).
• Patients also demonstrated significantly worse Locus Length per Environmental Area (L/EA), indicating poorer fine postural control.
• Greater postural instability was observed in patients with more severe clinical symptoms.

Conclusions:

• Patients with cervical myelopathy exhibit significant impairment in postural stability.
• Stabilometry provides an objective measure of postural stability, reflecting dorsal column and corticospinal tract function.
• Stabilometry is a valuable tool for assessing proprioceptive function and lower limb function in cervical myelopathy.