Article

A major health concern faced by individuals with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is the
heightened risk of falling. Reasons for this increased risk can often be traced
back to declines in neurophysiological mechanisms underlying balance control
and/or muscular strength. The aim of this study was to assess differences between
persons with MS and age-matched healthy adults in regards to their falls risk,
strength, reactions and directional control of balance. Twenty-two persons with
multiple sclerosis (mean age 56.3+/-8.9 years) and 22 age-matched healthy adults
(mean age 59.1+/-7.1 years) participated in the study. Assessments of falls risk,
balance, fear of falling, lower limb strength, and reaction time were performed.
Balance control was assessed under four conditions where the combined effects of
vision (eyes open/closed) and standing surface (firm/pliable surface) were
evaluated. Results demonstrated that, in comparison to healthy older adults,
persons with MS had a significantly higher falls risk, slower reaction times, and
weaker lower- limb strength. For balance, persons with MS exhibited greater
overall COP motion in both the medio-lateral (ML) and anterior-posterior (AP)
directions compared to older adults. Additionally, during more challenging
balance conditions, persons from the MS group exhibited greater ML motion
compared to sway in the AP direction. Overall, the results confirm that persons
with MS are often at a heightened risk of falling, due to the multitude of
neuromuscular changes brought about by this disease process. However, the
increased ML sway for the MS group could reflect a decreased ability to control
side-to-side motion in comparison to controlling AP sway.
CI - Copyright (c) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS