Contributing factors to postural stability in Prader-Willi syndrome

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Human Motor Control
• Clinical Biomechanics

Background:

• Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) is a rare neurodevelopmental disorder impacting various functional abilities.
• This study investigates postural stability, gait, and neuromuscular factors in young adults with PWS.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess postural stability in young adults with PWS compared to normal weight and obese controls.
• To examine gait parameters and quadriceps strength in individuals with PWS.

Main Methods:

• Compared 10 adults with PWS to 10 normal weight (NW) and 10 obese (OB) adults.
• Utilized the Sensory Organization Test (SOT) for balance assessment.
• Performed 3D gait analysis and measured quadriceps strength using isokinetic dynamometry.

Main Results:

• PWS group exhibited significantly lower balance scores (C4, CES) than both NW and OB groups.
• 33.3% of PWS participants fell during specific SOT conditions (C5, C6), unlike control groups.
• Individuals with PWS demonstrated a higher gait stability ratio (GSR), indicating less stable walking patterns.

Conclusions:

• PWS individuals struggle with balance relying on somatosensory, visual-vestibular, and vestibular systems.
• A stable gait in PWS is linked to shorter steps, slower velocity, and reduced quadriceps torque.
• Exercise interventions should incorporate multisensory activities and focus on muscular force and power.