Article

OBJECTIVE: To characterize postural responses to forward and backward external
perturbations in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS), and to relate performance
to commonly used clinical outcomes. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. Postural
responses were tested during large stepping and smaller feet-in-place
perturbations in forward and backward directions.
SETTING: University research
laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: PwMS (n=54) and age-matched controls (n=21) (N=75).
INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Center of mass displacement
and step latency after external perturbations. RESULTS: PwMS exhibited larger
center of mass displacements and step latencies than control participants in
response to stepping perturbations (P=.003 and P=.028, respectively). Stepping
deficits were more pronounced during backward stepping and were significantly
correlated to increased severity on clinical measures (European Database for
Multiple Sclerosis disability score and Timed 25-Foot Walk). CONCLUSIONS:
Compensatory stepping is impaired in PwMS and correlates with clinical
disability. Measurement of backward compensatory stepping may be more effective
at identifying postural dysfunction in PwMS than forward compensatory steps.
Prolonged step latencies, large anticipatory postural adjustments, and multiple
compensatory steps are especially altered in PwMS, suggesting possible targets
for neurorehabilitation.
CI - Copyright (c) 2016 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by
Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS