Contributions
Abstract: EP1362
Type: ePoster
Abstract Category: Clinical aspects of MS - 7 MS symptoms
Background: Impaired balance is one of the most important risk factors for falls in persons with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). Majority of the studies have been limited to PwMS with significant clinical disability. However, recent studies have suggested that even ''PwMS with absence of clinical disability'' (PwMS-AD) may also have balance and gait impairment.The aim was to evaluate balance and gait performance in PwMS-AD and compare them to ''PwMS with minimal disability'' (PwMS-MD) and healthy controls (HC).
Methods: 19 PwMS-AD with the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score ≤ 1.5, 16 PwMS-MD with EDSS ≤ 3.0 and 39 HC were assessed using a posturography, a laboratory-based movement analysis system and a clinical test, the Brief-Balance Evaluation Systems Test (Brief-BESTest). Limits of stability (LOS), postural stability (PS) and fall risk (FR) tests were performed. The Activities-Specific Balance Confidence Scale (ABC) was used to evaluate subjective confidence in balance. Walking ability assessed with Timed 25 Foot Walk Test (T25FW) and 12-Item Multiple Sclerosis Walking Scale (MSWS-12).
Results: Both MS groups had significantly worse LOS, PS and FR scores according to HC. Significant differences were found between PwMS-AD and healthy controls in all domains of LOS, PS and FR tests (p< 0.05), with an exception of the difference in anteroposterior PS (p>0.05). There was a significant difference in Brief-BESTest and T25FW scores (p< 0.05) but no significant difference was found in the ABC scale score (p>0.05) between PwMS-AD and HC. In addition, significant differences were observed between PwMS-AD and PwMS-MD in terms of PS, Brief-BESTest, T25FW, MSWS-12, ABC (p< 0.05).
Conclusion: This study has suggested that the PwMS-AD have impaired balance and gait performance compared to HC; however, subjective confidence in balance is not significantly different from HC. Although walking speed and balance parameters were affected before disability occurs in MS subjects, when minimal disability occurs, anteroposterior PS and subjective confidence in balance become significantly different according to the HC. Although the PwMS-AD do not complain about the balance and gait impairment, they should be assessed regularly regarding to balance with clinical and laboratory-based analysis tools. This can lead to early detection of impaired balance and fall risk to design appropriate rehabilitation programs.
Disclosure: All authors declare nothing to disclose
Abstract: EP1362
Type: ePoster
Abstract Category: Clinical aspects of MS - 7 MS symptoms
Background: Impaired balance is one of the most important risk factors for falls in persons with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). Majority of the studies have been limited to PwMS with significant clinical disability. However, recent studies have suggested that even ''PwMS with absence of clinical disability'' (PwMS-AD) may also have balance and gait impairment.The aim was to evaluate balance and gait performance in PwMS-AD and compare them to ''PwMS with minimal disability'' (PwMS-MD) and healthy controls (HC).
Methods: 19 PwMS-AD with the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score ≤ 1.5, 16 PwMS-MD with EDSS ≤ 3.0 and 39 HC were assessed using a posturography, a laboratory-based movement analysis system and a clinical test, the Brief-Balance Evaluation Systems Test (Brief-BESTest). Limits of stability (LOS), postural stability (PS) and fall risk (FR) tests were performed. The Activities-Specific Balance Confidence Scale (ABC) was used to evaluate subjective confidence in balance. Walking ability assessed with Timed 25 Foot Walk Test (T25FW) and 12-Item Multiple Sclerosis Walking Scale (MSWS-12).
Results: Both MS groups had significantly worse LOS, PS and FR scores according to HC. Significant differences were found between PwMS-AD and healthy controls in all domains of LOS, PS and FR tests (p< 0.05), with an exception of the difference in anteroposterior PS (p>0.05). There was a significant difference in Brief-BESTest and T25FW scores (p< 0.05) but no significant difference was found in the ABC scale score (p>0.05) between PwMS-AD and HC. In addition, significant differences were observed between PwMS-AD and PwMS-MD in terms of PS, Brief-BESTest, T25FW, MSWS-12, ABC (p< 0.05).
Conclusion: This study has suggested that the PwMS-AD have impaired balance and gait performance compared to HC; however, subjective confidence in balance is not significantly different from HC. Although walking speed and balance parameters were affected before disability occurs in MS subjects, when minimal disability occurs, anteroposterior PS and subjective confidence in balance become significantly different according to the HC. Although the PwMS-AD do not complain about the balance and gait impairment, they should be assessed regularly regarding to balance with clinical and laboratory-based analysis tools. This can lead to early detection of impaired balance and fall risk to design appropriate rehabilitation programs.
Disclosure: All authors declare nothing to disclose