Contributions
Abstract: EP1398
Type: ePoster
Abstract Category: Clinical aspects of MS - Clinical assessment tools
Background: Disorders of balance are frequent and equilibrium tests are potentially useful to quantify the level of disability and to verify the treatment effectiveness in multiple sclerosis (MS). The sensitivity of the widely used not-perturbed tests to detect balance disturbances in MS patients is poor.
have prompetd the development of robotic systems capable to impose known equilibrium perturbations, in order to challenge the balance control and, consequently, to better assess the level of impairment.
Objective: to assess the sensitivity of dynamic posturography in detecting balance disturbance in minimally disabled MS patients
Methods: We assessed balance performances of 17 adults with MS and 13 age-matched healthy control (HC) subjects by using a 3 DOF rotational robot platform designed for perturbed (PT) and not-perturbed (NPT) postural tests. Participants stood barefoot on the platform in standing position and their center of pressure (CoP) has been gathered by using a pressure matrix. Each trial lasted 30 s was carried out with and without visual stimuli. The widespread postural indices were computed for each trial. Correlations between postural indices and clinical scales were analyzed.
Results: No significant differences were found between groups for all indices when subjects performed NPTs. During the PTs, instead, significant differences between groups emerged in postural indices. Additionally, also patients without any cerebellar impairment (cerebellar EDSS subscore equal to 0) presented significantly differences respect to HC during PTs. The discrimination capability of PT was confirmed by the ROC analysis. No significant worsening occurred among HC during NPT performed with eyes closed, while indices presented a significant increase in MS subjects.
Conclusions: Perturbed tests showed higher sensitive than not-perturbed ones in the identification of equilibrium impairments due to MS in minimally disabled patients. On the other hand, not-perturbed tests allow to better evaluate the influence of sensory disturbances on balance control in MS. In conclusion, our findings proved that the use of the novel perturbed test based on a 3DOF mechatronic device represents a new and sensible tool for investigating early balance disturbances in MS.
Disclosure: Dr. Rossi acted as an Advisory Board member of Biogen Idec, Bayer Schering, Merck Serono, Teva, Novartis and Genzyme, and received funding for traveling and honoraria for speaking or writing from Biogen Idec, Merck Serono, Teva, Novartis, Bayer Schering, Genzyme, Almirall. She received support for research project by Teva, Merck Serono and Bayer Schering and is involved as principal investigator in clinical trials for Teva and Roche.
The other authors have nothing to disclose
Abstract: EP1398
Type: ePoster
Abstract Category: Clinical aspects of MS - Clinical assessment tools
Background: Disorders of balance are frequent and equilibrium tests are potentially useful to quantify the level of disability and to verify the treatment effectiveness in multiple sclerosis (MS). The sensitivity of the widely used not-perturbed tests to detect balance disturbances in MS patients is poor.
have prompetd the development of robotic systems capable to impose known equilibrium perturbations, in order to challenge the balance control and, consequently, to better assess the level of impairment.
Objective: to assess the sensitivity of dynamic posturography in detecting balance disturbance in minimally disabled MS patients
Methods: We assessed balance performances of 17 adults with MS and 13 age-matched healthy control (HC) subjects by using a 3 DOF rotational robot platform designed for perturbed (PT) and not-perturbed (NPT) postural tests. Participants stood barefoot on the platform in standing position and their center of pressure (CoP) has been gathered by using a pressure matrix. Each trial lasted 30 s was carried out with and without visual stimuli. The widespread postural indices were computed for each trial. Correlations between postural indices and clinical scales were analyzed.
Results: No significant differences were found between groups for all indices when subjects performed NPTs. During the PTs, instead, significant differences between groups emerged in postural indices. Additionally, also patients without any cerebellar impairment (cerebellar EDSS subscore equal to 0) presented significantly differences respect to HC during PTs. The discrimination capability of PT was confirmed by the ROC analysis. No significant worsening occurred among HC during NPT performed with eyes closed, while indices presented a significant increase in MS subjects.
Conclusions: Perturbed tests showed higher sensitive than not-perturbed ones in the identification of equilibrium impairments due to MS in minimally disabled patients. On the other hand, not-perturbed tests allow to better evaluate the influence of sensory disturbances on balance control in MS. In conclusion, our findings proved that the use of the novel perturbed test based on a 3DOF mechatronic device represents a new and sensible tool for investigating early balance disturbances in MS.
Disclosure: Dr. Rossi acted as an Advisory Board member of Biogen Idec, Bayer Schering, Merck Serono, Teva, Novartis and Genzyme, and received funding for traveling and honoraria for speaking or writing from Biogen Idec, Merck Serono, Teva, Novartis, Bayer Schering, Genzyme, Almirall. She received support for research project by Teva, Merck Serono and Bayer Schering and is involved as principal investigator in clinical trials for Teva and Roche.
The other authors have nothing to disclose