Functional mobility and postural control in essential tremor.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate functional mobility and postural control in participants with essential tremor (ET).


METHODS
Cross-sectional cohort study.


METHODS
Motor performance research laboratory.


METHODS
Sixteen participants with ET including head tremor (age, 59.4+/-12.0 y), 14 participants with ET and no head tremor (age, 57.1+/-15.9 y), and 28 healthy controls (age, 58.4+/-12.4 y).


METHODS
Not applicable.


METHODS
We assessed the Timed Up & Go, time to ascend and descend stairs, Dynamic Gait Index, and Berg Balance Scale (BBS). Participants completed the Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale and the Human Activity Profile. We assessed postural control using center-of-pressure measures from force platform recordings of quiet standing in 5 conditions.


RESULTS
Participants with ET including head tremor performed worse than controls on all functional mobility performance and self-report measures (P<.05) except the BBS and stair descent time. Mean performance of ET participants without head tremor was intermediate between the other 2 groups. Sway speed measures of postural control showed similar patterns, but no significant group differences in post hoc analysis. There were no statistically significant or clinically important correlations between measures of tremor status and functional mobility status.


CONCLUSIONS
Participants with ET show reduced functional mobility, especially those with head tremor.
Parisi
Sarah L
SL
School of Rehabilitation Therapy, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada.
Héroux
Martin E
ME
Culham
Elsie G
EG
Norman
Kathleen E
KE
D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D020329:Essential Tremor / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009048:Motor Skills; D004856:Postural Balance; D011187:Posture