Citation

Garg H, Dibble LE, Schubert MC, Sibthorp J, Foreman KB, Gappmaier E. Anat. Rec. (2007) 2018; 301(11): 1852-1860.

Affiliation

Department of Physical Therapy, The University of Utah, 520 Wakara Way, Salt Lake City, Utah, 84108, United States.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1002/ar.23852

PMID

29729209

Abstract

Despite the common complaints of dizziness and demyelination of afferent or efferent pathways to and from the vestibular nuclei which may adversely affect the angular Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex (aVOR) and vestibulo-spinal function in persons with Multiple Sclerosis (PwMS), few studies have examined gaze and dynamic balance function in PwMS.

OBJECTIVES: 1) Determine the differences in gaze stability, dynamic balance and participation measures between PwMS and controls, 2) Examine the relationships between gaze stability, dynamic balance and participation.

METHODS: Nineteen ambulatory PwMS at fall-risk and 14 age-matched controls were recruited. Outcomes included (a) gaze stability [angular Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex (aVOR) gain (ratio of eye to head velocity); number of Compensatory Saccades (CS) per head rotation; CS latency; gaze position error; Coefficient of Variation (CV) of aVOR gain], (b) dynamic balance [Functional Gait Assessment, FGA; four square step test], and (c) participation [dizziness handicap inventory; activities-specific balance confidence scale]. Separate independent t-tests and Pearson's correlations were calculated.

RESULTS: PwMS were age = 53 ± 11.7yrs and had 4.2 ± 3.3 falls/yr. PwMS demonstrated significant (p<0.05) impairments in gaze stability, dynamic balance and participation measures compared to controls. CV of aVOR gain and CS latency were significantly correlated with FGA.

CONCLUSIONS: Deficits and correlations across a spectrum of disability measures highlight the relevance of gaze and dynamic balance assessment in PwMS. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

© 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Language: en

Keywords

Dizziness; Gait; Multiple Sclerosis; Postural Balance; Reflex; Saccades; Vestibulo-Ocular