Clinical tests of standing balance: performance of persons with multiple sclerosis.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate differences in performance between people with multiple sclerosis (MS) and control subjects on clinical tests of balance, and to assess performance consistency on balance tests in people with MS from morning to afternoon.


METHODS
Two factor repeated measures design with a two group sample of convenience.


METHODS
Kingston Centre and the Camberwell Centre of the MS Society of Victoria, Australia.


METHODS
Fourteen people with MS and 14 control subjects matched for age, height, and sex.


METHODS
Subjects were measured on their ability to maintain standing balance in steady stance, (feet apart, feet together, stride stance, tandem stance, and single leg stance), during self-generated perturbations (functional reach, arm raise, and step tests) and in response to an external perturbation. Participants with MS were also asked to rate their fatigue level in the morning and afternoon.


RESULTS
There were no differences between MS and control groups on the ability to maintain standing balance with feet apart, feet together, or in stride stance. Participants with MS performed more poorly than control subjects in tandem stance and single leg stance and in the functional reach test, arm raise test, step test, and in response to an external perturbation. There was little change in balance from morning to afternoon in participants with MS (ICCs (2,1) .70 to .94), despite an increase in self-rated fatigue (t(14) = -3.14, p = .008).


CONCLUSIONS
The ability to maintain balance in standing is a marked problem in people with MS despite the consistency of their performance from morning to afternoon.
Frzovic
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School of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, LaTrobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia.
Morris
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Vowels
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D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D018763:Muscle Fatigue; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities / Q000379:methods*; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology*; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis