Article

Balance impairments after traumatic brain injury (TBI) are common and
persist after injury. Postural asymmetries in balance have been reported, but not
quantified, across recovery. Objective: The objective of this study was to
characterize balance recovery after moderate to severe TBI,
with a focus on
postural asymmetry. Design:
A secondary analysis of prospectively collected data
was used in this study. Methods: Data were from 45 participants with moderate to
severe TBI. Participants' balance in 2 bipedal stances and 2 unipedal stances was
assessed with force plates at approximately 2, 5, and 12 months after injury.
Single-visit data from participants who were matched for age and served as
healthy controls were collected for visual comparison using 95% confidence
intervals. Spatial and temporal center-of-pressure (COP) measures were calculated
from force plates in the anteroposterior (AP) and mediolateral (ML) directions.
Results: Despite improvements in net ML COP postural sway from 2 to 5 months
after injury, there were no changes in AP postural sway across recovery. Postural
sway in individuals with TBI was higher than normative values at all time points
in both directions. Interlimb synchrony did not change across recovery in either
direction. TBI weight-bearing asymmetry was lower than normative values at all
time points and did not change across recovery. The characteristics of unipedal
stance differed between limbs. Limitations: Sample size was reduced as a result
of the inclusion and exclusion criteria; future studies will benefit from a
larger sample size. Conclusions: The absence of recovery in ML COP postural sway,
interlimb synchrony, and weight-bearing symmetry indicated that reduced ML
control may contribute to balance impairments after TBI. These impairments may
extend to dynamic balance tasks and may also place individuals with TBI at a
higher risk for falls.

Langue : ANGLAIS