The role of anticipatory postural adjustments during self-induced postural perturbations in women with multiple sclerosis

Impairment of balance control is one of the most disabling symptoms in Multiple Sclerosis (MS). It is known that، in the presence of a predictable postural perturbation، the Central Nervous System (CNS) utilizes Anticipatory Postural Adjustments (APAs) to maintain balance while standing. The main purpose of the current study was to investigate the APAs during self-induced postural perturbation in patients with MS.

In this case-control study 12 MS female patients selected by simple sampling were studied with 12 control individuals. Female patients with MS and healthy control subjects performed a backward load release task while standing. Electrical activity of six leg and trunk muscles on the non-dominant side of the body was recorded. The magnitudes and latency of anticipatory muscle activity was calculated and compared between the two study groups. Independent-samples t-test was used for statistical analysis.

The results revealed significant APAs deficits in the MS patients reflecting higher latency and reduced magnitude of anticipatory muscle activity.

Hence، it can be concluded that there is an impairment of feed-forward postural control in MS. These results should be considered in the rehabilitation programs for balance training of patients with MS.