Postural stabilization and balance assessment in Charcot–Marie–Tooth 1A subjects

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to assess postural stabilization skill in adult subjects affected by Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease (CMT) type 1A. For this purpose ground reaction force (GRF) was measured by means of a piezoelectric force platform during the sit-to-stand (STS) movement, until a steady state erect posture was achieved. Specific indexes to quantify Centre of Mass acceleration, both during postural stabilization and during quiet standing, were computed using a mathematical model. Forty-seven CMT1A subjects were recruited for the study, and the control group was formed by forty-one age- and sex-matched healthy subjects.The results show that CMT1A subjects are less stable than controls during the quiet stance. Greater difficulty (high values of Yinf, the final instability rate) to maintain erect posture appears to be mainly associated with plantar-flexor muscle weakness, rather than to damage of the proprioceptive system. The worst performances shown by CMT1A subjects in the stabilization phase (high values of I, the global index of postural stabilization performance) seem to be associated with reduced muscle strength and the loss of large sensory nerve fibres.Distal muscle weakness appears to affect both postural stabilization and quiet erect posture. The presented protocol and the analysis of postural stabilization parameters provide useful information on CMT1A balance disorders.

Gait dynamic stability analysis and motor control prediction for varying terrain conditions

“…These works have used the first order negative exponential model, widely applied for gait stability analysis in loading phase, and where time constant and gains were estimated from time domain aCOM [2,4,5,10]. Prediction of the COP and the GRF rate dependant variations in loading phase have been studied using the sample entropy algorithm [11].…”

Human Balance in Response to Continuous, Predictable Translations of the Support Base: Integration of Sensory Information, Adaptation to Perturbations, and the Effect of Age, Neuropathy and Parkinson’s Disease

“…It is known that body sway during quiet stance is increased in neuropathic patients [65,66] and that standing on foam with EC can detect subclinical neuropathies in older adults [67]. Therefore, neuropathic patients should experience severe instability when standing on the translating platform, all the more so when vision is not available.…”

Charcot‐Marie‐Tooth 1A: A narrative review with clinical and anatomical perspectives

“…A variety of aids may also be utilised that include forearm crutches, foot and ankle orthotics, and wheelchairs (Bird, ). In a recent study by Lencioni et al (), one is reminded once again of the potential utility of rehabilitation. These researchers were able to show that CMT1A participants experienced difficulty maintaining erect posture that appeared to be chiefly related to muscle weakness, in particular of the plantarflexors rather than to damage of the large diameter sensory fibres of the proprioceptive system.…”