Postural Control Deficits in Patients With Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyradiculoneuropathy Undergoing...

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) frequently causes balance impairments, a primary patient concern.
• Objective laboratory-based measures of balance in CIDP and the effects of immunomodulatory therapy remain under-researched.

Purpose of the Study:

• To objectively characterize static and dynamic balance deficits in individuals with CIDP.
• To evaluate the impact of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) therapy on balance function in CIDP patients.

Main Methods:

• Ten CIDP patients undergoing IVIg treatment and 13 healthy controls (HC) were assessed.
• Measures included clinical evaluations and trunk sway analysis using a velocity transducer during static and dynamic balance tasks, with and without vision.

Main Results:

• CIDP patients exhibited significantly poorer strength, sensation, balance confidence, and clinical balance compared to HC.
• CIDP patients demonstrated substantially greater trunk sway (62%-181% larger) across most balance tasks, especially under vision-deprived conditions.
• IVIg treatment correlated with a significant reduction in trunk sway (47%-53%) during challenging tasks like tandem stance without vision.

Conclusions:

• CIDP significantly compromises postural control in both static and dynamic balance.
• IVIg therapy shows potential for improving dynamic balance in CIDP patients during demanding tasks, warranting further investigation.