title: Direction-specific impairments of limits of stability in individuals with multiple sclerosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Impaired postural control in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) is associated with falls. The objective was to evaluate the direction-specific limits of stability in people with MS.
  
  
  METHODS
  Balance control of 18 individuals with relapsing-remitting MS and 18 healthy controls was assessed using instrumented (Limits of Stability (LOS) test) and clinical (Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and Activities-specific Balance Confidence (ABC) scale) tests.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were significant differences in reaction time, movement velocity, endpoint excursion, maximum excursion, and directional control measures of the LOS test between individuals with MS and healthy controls. The BBS and ABC clinical balance measures were significantly lower in individuals with MS compared to control subjects. The directional control impairment was seen in the right side and backward diagonals (backward-right and backward-left) directions. A significant difference between the fallers and non-fallers was found on all the components of the LOS test. There was a significant correlation between the BBS and ABC scores and different components of the LOS test.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Direction-specific impairment of limits of stability components was observed in individuals with MS. This information could be used in balance rehabilitation of people with MS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, University of Illinois, 1919, W.-Taylor street, 60612 Chicago, IL, USA.
authors.forename: Mohan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ganesan
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, University of Illinois, 1919, W.-Taylor street, 60612 Chicago, IL, USA.
authors.forename: Neeta
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kanekar
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, University of Illinois, 1919, W.-Taylor street, 60612 Chicago, IL, USA. Electronic address: aaruin@uic.edu.
authors.forename: Alexander S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Aruin
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls; D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology; D020529:Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004856:Postural Balance; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology
keywords: Balance; Dynamic posturography; Falls; Limits of stability; Multiple sclerosis