Changes in dynamic balance in multiple sclerosis patients as related to the severity of disease and self-rated fatigue

Impaired balance and fatigue are two common symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS) that can impact the everyday activities of MS patients. Maintaining balance during walking, referred to as dynamic balance, requires the legs to control the motion and position of the upper body. The purpose of the study was to determine which variables of dynamic balance were the most closely related to the severity of the patients' MS and their fatigue level, and which of the significantly related variables were sensitive enough to detect differences between the MS patients and the control subjects. Ten MS patients and eight age-matched healthy control subjects were required to attend two testing sessions, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. The subjects were also required to rate their fatigue and perceived exertion (RPE) throughout the testing sessions. Kinematic data were collected from a minimum of six walking trials before and after a walking protocol designed to raise the subjects' RPE and fatigue level. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)...