title: Postural strategies in Prader-Willi and Down syndrome patients.
abstract: Patients affected by Down (DS) and Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) are characterised by some common clinical and functional features including gait disorders and reduced postural control. The aim of our study was to quantitatively compare postural control in adult PWS and DS. We studied 12 PWS and 19 DS adult patients matched for age, height, weight and body mass index. They were instructed to maintain an upright standing position on a force platform for 30s with open eyes (OE) and we calculated the range of center of pressure (CoP) displacement in the A/P direction (RANGE(AP)) and in the M/L direction (RANGE(ML)) and the total CoP trajectory length during quiet stance (Sway Path, SP). The range of oscillations in PWS and DS in both AP and ML direction were higher than in controls. PWS and DS were statistically different for RANGE(AP), with PWS showing higher mean values. Our results confirm a reduced capacity of both PWS and DS in maintaining postural stability. This appears to be in some respect different in PWS and DS, with PWS showing poorer control in AP. DS and, particularly, PWS should be encouraged to undergo specific balance training and strengthening of the ankle muscles as part of a comprehensive rehabilitation program to enhance daily functioning and quality of life.
authors.affiliation: Bioengineering Department, Politecnico di Milano, p.zza Leonardo Da Vinci 32, 20133 Milano, Italy. veronica.cimolin@polimi.it
authors.forename: Veronica
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Cimolin
authors.forename: Manuela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Galli
authors.forename: Graziano
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Grugni
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Vismara
authors.forename: Helmer
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Precilios
authors.forename: Giorgio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Albertini
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rigoldi
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Capodaglio
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000843:Ankle Joint / Q000502:physiology; D004314:Down Syndrome / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D020233:Gait Disorders, Neurologic / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology*; D011218:Prader-Willi Syndrome / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D011788:Quality of Life; D055815:Young Adult