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Computerized Dynamic Posturography for Postural Control Assessment in Patients with Intermittent Claudication
Published on: December 11, 2013
Postural control strategy during standing is altered in patients with multiple sclerosis
Jessie M Huisinga1, Jennifer M Yentes, Mary L Filipi
1Nebraska Biomechanics Core Facility, University of Nebraska at Omaha, 6001 Dodge St., Omaha, NE 68182, USA. jhuisinga@kumc.edu
Neuroscience Letters
|July 25, 2012
Summary
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) patients exhibit altered postural control during standing, showing increased sway variability and regularity. These findings highlight potential mechanisms underlying balance deficits in MS.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Biomedical Engineering
- Human Movement Science
Background:
- Balance disturbances are early Multiple Sclerosis (MS) symptoms.
- Limited research classifies postural control deficits in MS patients.
- Understanding sway patterns is crucial for MS management.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate postural sway variability in Multiple Sclerosis patients (PwMS) versus healthy controls.
- Quantify differences in sway patterns during quiet standing.
- Explore the impact of visual input on postural control in PwMS.
Main Methods:
- Subjects stood on a force platform with eyes open and closed.
- Quantified sway variability using Root Mean Square (RMS).
- Assessed temporal structure with Lyapunov Exponent (LyE) and Approximate Entropy (ApEn).
Main Results:
- PwMS showed significantly higher RMS (more sway variability).
- PwMS exhibited decreased ApEn (increased regularity) and decreased LyE (decreased divergence).
- Vision removal decreased LyE in PwMS, indicating reduced sway divergence.
Conclusions:
- Altered sway variability and temporal structure in PwMS suggest specific postural control deficits.
- Findings align with the optimal movement variability hypothesis.
- Variability measures can elucidate postural control mechanisms in MS and other neurodegenerative diseases.
