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Change in 'first-trial' performance after protective step practice in people with multiple sclerosis
Charles Van Liew1, Leland E Dibble2, K Bo Foreman2
1Arizona State University, College of Health Solutions, Phoenix, AZ, USA.
Clinical Biomechanics (Bristol, Avon)
|August 21, 2021
Summary
People with multiple sclerosis (MS) showed improved reactive balance on the first step after just one day of practice. This suggests even a small amount of training can enhance stability and potentially reduce fall risk in MS patients.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Biomechanics
Background:
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurodegenerative disease significantly impacting gait and balance.
- Impaired reactive balance in MS contributes to increased fall risk.
- Current training methods often average multiple trials, limiting ecological validity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess improvements in reactive balance on the first stepping trial after a single day of perturbation-based training in individuals with MS.
- To determine if short-term training can yield immediate, ecologically valid improvements in balance control.
Main Methods:
- Fourteen participants with MS underwent two days of balance perturbation training.
- Day 1 included initial assessment, followed by extensive practice.
- Day 2 began with a re-assessment of the first stepping trial performance.
Main Results:
- A statistically significant improvement in the margin of stability was observed on the first trial from day 1 to day 2 (P = .016).
- A trend towards faster step responses (approximately 5 ms) was noted on day 2, though not statistically significant (P = .062).
Conclusions:
- Preliminary findings suggest that individuals with MS can achieve immediate, first-trial improvements in reactive balance after a low dose of perturbation training.
- This indicates potential for rapid gains in balance control relevant to real-world fall prevention.
