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Updated: May 10, 2026
14:52
Computerized Dynamic Posturography for Postural Control Assessment in Patients with Intermittent Claudication
Published on: December 11, 2013
Postural control in restless legs syndrome with medication intervention using pramipexole
Aulikki Ahlgrén-Rimpiläinen1, Hannu Lauerma, Seppo Kähkönen
1Forensic Psychiatry, National Institute for Health and Welfare, P.O. Box 30, 00271, Helsinki, Finland, aulikki.ahlgren@fimnet.fi.
Summary
Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) impairs postural control, particularly with eyes open. Pramipexole treatment improved stability and reduced RLS symptoms, suggesting dopamine
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Neurology
- Movement Disorders
Background:
- Central dopamine pathways are crucial for maintaining posture and are implicated in Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) and Parkinson's Disease (PD).
- While postural control deficits are known in PD, their relationship with RLS remains understudied.
- RLS is associated with dopaminergic system dysfunction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate postural control in individuals with RLS compared to healthy controls.
- To evaluate the effect of pramipexole, a dopamine agonist, on postural stability in RLS patients.
- To explore the role of visual input in RLS postural control.
Main Methods:
- Utilized computerized force platform posturography to assess center of force parameters (shift and velocity).
- Measurements were taken with eyes open (EO) and eyes closed (EC) in controls (n=12) and RLS subjects (n=12).
- RLS subjects were tested before and after a single-day pramipexole intervention.
Main Results:
- Center point of force velocity (CPFV) with eyes open was significantly lower in RLS patients than controls (p < 0.05).
- Pramipexole treatment normalized CPFV (EO) in RLS subjects and reduced subjective symptom severity.
- Pramipexole did not significantly alter CPFV (EC) or center of force shift direction; RLS subjects relied heavily on visual input for postural compensation.
Conclusions:
- Individuals with RLS exhibit impaired postural control, particularly when visual feedback is limited.
- Dopaminergic medication (pramipexole) can improve postural stability and alleviate RLS symptoms.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the central nervous system's altered feedback mechanisms and the interplay of dopamine and vision in RLS postural control.
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