Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Volume 90, Issue 4 , Pages 602-609, April 2009

Balance-Based Torso-Weighting May Enhance Balance in Persons With Multiple Sclerosis: Preliminary Evidence

Presented to the III Step Conference, July 15-21, 2005, Provost, UT, and to the American Physical Therapy Association, June 6-11, 2005, Boston, MA.

  • Gail L. Widener, PhD, PT

      Affiliations

    • Department of Physical Therapy, Samuel Merritt University, Oakland
    • Corresponding Author InformationReprint requests to Gail L. Widener, PhD, PT, Samuel Merritt University, 450 30th St, Oakland, CA 94609
    • ,
  • Diane D. Allen, PhD, PT

      Affiliations

    • Graduate Programs in Physical Therapy, San Francisco State University/University of California—San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
    • ,
  • Cynthia Gibson-Horn, BS, PT

      Affiliations

    • Department of Physical Therapy, Samuel Merritt University, Oakland

Abstract 

Widener GL, Allen DD, Gibson-Horn C. Balance-based torso-weighting may enhance balance in persons with multiple sclerosis: preliminary evidence.

Objective

To determine whether weight placed on the trunk in response to directional balance loss would enhance function and stability in people with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Design

Quasi-experimental study in which subjects served as their own controls.

Setting

Research laboratory.

Participants

Subjects (N=16) age 20 to 65 years with MS recruited through the Northern California Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Interventions

Balance-based torso-weighting where up to 1.5% body weight was placed in a garment on the trunk. Subjects were tested at baseline and then in randomly ordered balance-based torso-weighting and nonweighted garment conditions.

Main Outcome Measures

Sharpened Romberg, eyes open (SREO) and Sharpened Romberg, eyes closed, computerized dynamic platform posturography (CDPP), Timed Up & Go (TUG), and 25-foot timed walk.

Results

Significant improvement (P<.014) was found with SREO in the balance-based torso-weighting compared with nonweighted conditions. CDPP eyes open and TUG showed improvements (P<.03) from baseline to balance-based torso-weighting and nonweighted conditions.

Conclusions

Improved performance in a group of adults with MS was seen when light weights were placed on the torso to counteract balance loss. Placement of weights may have the potential to produce immediate improvements in balance in this population.

Key Words: Multiple sclerosis, Rehabilitation

List of Abbreviations: ANOVA, analysis of variance, CDPP, computerized dynamic platform posturography, CNS, central nervous system, COP, center of pressure, EC, eyes closed, EO, eyes open, MS, multiple sclerosis, RR, relapsing remitting, SP, secondary progressive, SREC, Sharpened Romberg, eyes closed, SREO, Sharpened Romberg, eyes open, TUG, Timed Up & Go

 

 Supported by Samuel Merritt University and the California Physical Therapy Fund (grant no. 02-07).

 A commercial party having a direct financial interest in the results of the research supporting this article has conferred or will confer a financial benefit on the author or 1 or more of the authors.

PII: S0003-9993(09)00075-6

doi:10.1016/j.apmr.2008.10.027

Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Volume 90, Issue 4 , Pages 602-609, April 2009

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