Article

The aim of the present study was to assess postural stabilization skill in adult
subjects affected by Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) type 1A. For this purpose
ground reaction force (GRF)
was measured by means of a piezoelectric force
platform during the sit-to-stand (STS) movement, until a steady state erect
posture was achieved. Specific indexes to quantify Centre of Mass acceleration,
both during postural stabilization and during quiet standing, were computed using
a mathematical model. Forty-seven CMT1A subjects were recruited for the study,
and the control group was formed by forty-one age- and sex-matched healthy
subjects. The results show that CMT1A subjects are less stable than controls
during the quiet stance. Greater difficulty (high values of Yinf, the final
instability rate) to maintain erect posture appears to be mainly associated with
plantar-flexor muscle weakness, rather than to damage of the proprioceptive
system. The worst performances shown by CMT1A subjects in the stabilization phase
(high values of I, the global index of postural stabilization performance) seem
to be associated with reduced muscle strength and the loss of large sensory nerve
fibres. Distal muscle weakness appears to affect both postural stabilization and
quiet erect posture. The presented protocol and the analysis of postural
stabilization parameters provide useful information on CMT1A balance disorders.
CI - Copyright (c) 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS