How does a cognitive challenge effect postural balance in MS patients? A New Study

Stuart SchlossmanAdditional MS resource sites, Multiple Sclerosis, Symptoms

Posted by Lisa Emrich at Health Central.com

Have you ever caught yourself swaying a bit while you were deep in thought and using your brain power to work something out?  Do you trip just a little bit more when you walk and talk?  MS might be to blame. 
We know that balance control is affected by musculoskeletal and neuromuscular control (see What is the Romberg Test?).  Deficits in balance/postural control can be related to  impaired visual, vestibular, and somatosensory inputs to the central nervous system.  Recent published research shows that balance control also has a cognitive component.
A small study undertaken at the Ahvaz Jundishapur University (Khuzestan, Iran) showed that MS patients tend to sway more when tasked with a cognitive challenge as compared to their healthy, age-matched controls under varying circumstances. 
There were two group of patients included in this study.  Twenty-three MS patients (8 male and 15 female) who met the following criteria:
  • (1) a definite diagnosis of relapsing-remitting MS,
  • (2) ability to stand unassisted for at least 30 seconds,
  • (3) ability to walk 100 meters independently, and
  • (4) in remission. 

Continue reading Lisa’s article


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