Posturography in MS patients treated with high dose methylprednisolone

To evaluate the sensitivity of the balance sway index (SI) to drug-induced functional changes during acute relapse in patients with MS.

Dynamic posturography was used to derive the SI in 11 healthy subjects and 13 MS patients before and after intravenous high dose methylprednisolone (HDMP).

In both groups, SI was lower in the least demanding task and increased with test complexity. Compared to the healthy group, patients were distinguished by a higher SI both prior to and following administration of HDMP (p < 0.008). However, the effect of the drug on patients' SI was unremarkable. Total Expanded Disability Status Scale score was lower after treatment compared to pre-treatment values (p < 0.001), with significantly lower mean score recorded in patients with pyramidal and cerebellar abnormalities (p = 0.017 and p = 0.011, respectively).

The SI measure of dynamic posturography is not sensitive to short-term HDMP-induced functional changes during acute relapse in patients with MS. Further studies are needed to evaluate modified balance protocols and the possible long-term treatment effects of HDMP on SI.