Article

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of a rested and fatigued testing condition
on measures of balance in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). DESIGN:
Prospective observational study. SETTING: Academic research laboratory.
PARTICIPANTS: Fifteen ambulatory adults with relapsing remitting or secondary
progressive MS with moderate disability. METHODS: Measures of postural control,
dynamic balance, and fatigue were assessed during a "rested" and "fatigued" testing condition on separate days. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Static
posturography was used to assess postural control. The Mini-Balance Evaluation
Systems Test and Dynamic Gait Index were used to assess dynamic balance. The
chronic fatigue level was measured by using the Fatigue Severity Scale, and acute
fatigue was assessed by using a visual analog scale at multiple time points
during testing. RESULTS: During the fatigued condition, the participants reported
a significant (P < .05) increase in acute fatigue levels (visual analog scale)
and demonstrated a significant (P < .05) decrease in performance on measures of postural control and dynamic balance when compared with the rested condition.
However, no significant relationship was identified between the changes in
fatigue and changes in balance performance. CONCLUSIONS: Measures of balance
performance and acute fatigue may be affected by rested versus fatigued testing
conditions in people with MS. However, no significant relationships between changes in balance and fatigue were identified. Therefore, clinicians should use
caution when making assumptions about the influence of fatigue on balance
performance and should test for individual responses. Clinicians and researchers
should also consider controlling for factors such as time of day and prior
physical activity when administering standardized measures of balance in people with MS.
CI - Copyright (c) 2013 American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.
Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
- Posture - Fatigue

Langue : ANGLAIS