Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease caused by chronic demyelination of the central nervous system. Its effects are often disabling and it is the most common neurological disorder found in individuals 20 to 50 years old. People living with MS consistently rate balance and gait limitations as having the greatest negative impacts on their quality of life. Balance impairments demonstrated by individuals with MS are likely multifactorial in etiology but previous research suggests that impaired somatosensation, reduced strength and/or fatigue may play a role. Previous research suggests that balance impairments increase with increased fatigue but to our knowledge this has not been studied among individuals with MS. Therefore, the purpose of the current project was to analyze the postural stability of individuals with and without MS, as perceived levels symptomatic fatigue rise. Postural sway during quiet stance and forwards and backwards reaching tasks were quantified before and after a 30-minute bout of walking. Primary analysis found worsening balance performance measured by reduced postural stability and increased sway following walking. These findings were more significant in the MS group and more apparent in the backwards direction and a fixed reach task. However, when a maximal reach task was performed, individuals with MS maintained a higher level of stability than did the control cohort but greatly reduced their reach distance. This finding suggests that individuals with MS are reluctant to approach their stability boundaries and appear to prioritize stability at the expense of task performance. Given the decrement in stability that occurred following fatiguing exercise, the stability boundary itself or the perception of the boundary, may be hampered by muscle fatigue or could be related to reduced somatosensation in this cohort. Regardless, individuals with MS should be cautioned that they may be at greater risk of balance loss when their fatigue levels are elevated. A poster deriving from special studies with Dr. Stephanie Jones, Assistant Professor of Exercise & Sport Studies
by Nell Tarno ‘21