Static posturography across the EDSS scale in people with multiple sclerosis: a cross sectional study

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Posturography is the gold standard for assessing standing postural control in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS).
• It provides objective data on fall risk and brain damage related to MS.
• The extent of postural control decline throughout the MS disease process requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the impact of disability, measured by the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), on posturography measures in PwMS.
• To determine if and to what extent postural control deteriorates as MS progresses.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 464 PwMS.
• Participants were categorized into seven disability levels based on EDSS scores.
• Static postural control was assessed using the Zebris FDM-T instrumented Treadmill.

Main Results:

• A significant positive correlation was found between EDSS scores and posturography parameters (ellipse area, center of pressure path length, sway rate).
• PwMS with EDSS scores of 3.0-3.5 showed significant increases in postural sway compared to those with EDSS 0-2.5.
• Patients with higher EDSS scores (6.0-6.5) exhibited poorer performance in balance measures.

Conclusions:

• Posturography, specifically center of pressure (CoP) trajectories, serves as a valid outcome measure for assessing disability progression in PwMS.
• These findings highlight the utility of posturography in monitoring disease advancement and informing therapeutic strategies.