Article

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the weight of visual and proprioceptive inputs,
measured indirectly in standing position control, in patients with chronic
acquired demyelinating polyneuropathy (CADP).
DESIGN: Prospective case study.
SUBJECTS: Twenty-five patients with CADP and 25 healthy controls. METHODS:
Posture was recorded on a double force platform. Stimulations were optokinetic
(60 degrees /s) for visual input and vibration (50 Hz) for proprioceptive input.
Visual stimulation involved 4 tests (upward, downward, rightward and leftward)
and proprioceptive stimulation 2 tests (triceps surae and tibialis anterior). A
composite score, previously published and slightly modified, was used for the
recorded postural signals from the different stimulations. RESULTS: Despite their
sensitivity deficits, patients with CADP were more sensitive to proprioceptive
stimuli than were healthy controls (mean composite score 13.9 ((standard
deviation; SD) 4.8) vs 18.4 (SD 4.8), p = 0.002). As expected, they were also
more sensitive to visual stimuli (mean composite score 10.5 (SD 8.7) vs 22.9 (SD
7.5), p <0.0001). CONCLUSION: These results encourage balance rehabilitation of
patients with CADP, aimed at promoting the use of proprioceptive information,
thereby reducing too-early development of visual compensation while
proprioception is still available.

Langue : ANGLAIS