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Updated: Jan 26, 2026

The Multiple Sclerosis Performance Test MSPT: An iPad-Based Disability Assessment Tool
Published on: June 30, 2014
Whole-body vibration impedes the deterioration of postural control in patients with multiple sclerosis
Anne Krause1, Kyungsoo Lee2, Kathrin Freyler2
1Department of Sport Science, University of Freiburg, Schwarzwaldstraße 175, 79117 Freiburg, Germany; Institute of Training and Computer Science, German Sport University Cologne, Am Sportpark Müngersdorf 6, 50933 Cologne, Germany.
Objective:
The current study aimed to investigate if whole-body vibration (WBV) might attenuate the processing functional and neuromuscular degeneration of postural control in patients with MS.
Design:
Performance in postural control was assessed before and after 6 weeks of a control (CON) and a WBV intervention period.
Setting:
Laboratory at the University of Freiburg & home-based training PARTICIPANTS: Out of 29 interested participants, 15 subjects with severe MS fit inclusion criteria.
Main Outcome Measures:
Centre of pressure displacement (COP), muscle activity and co-contraction indices of m. soleus (SOL), gastrocnemius medialis (GM), tibialis anterior (TA), biceps (BF) and rectus femoris (RF) as well as SOL H/M-ratios.
Results:
After CON, COP was significantly enhanced with reduced muscle activity in RF and diminished shank muscle co-contraction. After WBV, no changes were observed in COP and neuromuscular control. However, over time, TA activity was reduced, but with no changes in muscle activation of SOL, GM and BF or H/M-ratios.
Conclusions:
After CON, MS patients experienced substantial deteriorations in postural control which have previously been associated with greater postural instability. No further disease-associated deteriorations were observed following the intervention. Thus, WBV might alleviate neurodegeneration of postural control in people with MS.
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