physioscience 2025; 21(S 03): S41
DOI: 10.1055/s-0045-1812450
Abstracts
Poster/Posters

Comparison of Lab-Based Static and Dynamic Balance Measurements and Clinical Tests in MS Patients

Authors

  • F Behrendt

    1   Reha Rheinfelden, Wissenschaftliche Abteilung, Rheinfelden, Switzerland
    2   Bern University of Applied Sciences, School of Engineering and Computer Science, Biel, Switzerland

  • M Augstburger

    1   Reha Rheinfelden, Wissenschaftliche Abteilung, Rheinfelden, Switzerland
    3   ETH Zurich, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Zürich, Switzerland

  • M Bommer

    1   Reha Rheinfelden, Wissenschaftliche Abteilung, Rheinfelden, Switzerland
    4   SwiSCI-Studienzentrum, Schweizer Paraplegiker-Forschung, Nottwil, Switzerland

  • K Parmar

    1   Reha Rheinfelden, Wissenschaftliche Abteilung, Rheinfelden, Switzerland
    5   Translational Imaging in Neurology (ThINk) Basel, Departments of Head, Spine and Neuromedicine and Biomedical Engineering, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
    6   University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Department of Neurology, Basel, Switzerland

  • Z Suica

    1   Reha Rheinfelden, Wissenschaftliche Abteilung, Rheinfelden, Switzerland

  • J Lorscheider

    1   Reha Rheinfelden, Wissenschaftliche Abteilung, Rheinfelden, Switzerland
    6   University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Department of Neurology, Basel, Switzerland

  • C Schuster-Amft

    1   Reha Rheinfelden, Wissenschaftliche Abteilung, Rheinfelden, Switzerland
    2   Bern University of Applied Sciences, School of Engineering and Computer Science, Biel, Switzerland
    7   University of Basel, Department for Sport, Exercise and Health, Basel, Switzerland
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Introduction In patients with Multiple Sclerosis (pwMS), gait and balance problems are frequent already early after diagnosis, which supports the need of in-depth knowledge and efficient as well as precise methods to quantify these impairments. There are several functional and technology-based assessments to evaluate static and dynamic balance abilities. However, in many studies, no clear distinction is made between static and dynamic balance and their relationship, and their quantification ability.

Aim The aim of this pilot study is a) to evaluate the relationship between static and dynamic parameters of balance in pwMS calculated from in-lab 3D gait analysis data and b) to compare these data to commonly used functional balance assessments.

Materials and Methods PwMS underwent a 3D gait analysis, static posturography, and functional balance assessments. Outcomes were the Margin of Stability (MoS) for the dynamic analysis and Center of Pressure (CoP) ellipse area, path length, amplitude, velocity and CoP Root-mean-square for the static analysis. The functional assessments conducted were the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), the Clinical Test for Sensory Interaction in Balance (CTSIB), Mini Balance Evaluation Systems Test score (MiniBESTest), Dynamic Gait Index (DGI), Timed Up and Go Test (TUG) and the Six Sport Step Test (SSST). The degree of correlation between measurements and assessments was tested with Pearson correlation.

Results Twenty pwMS (10 females, mean age 52.6±6.6 years, mean EDSS 3.9±1.0) were included. The CTSIB had the strongest correlation with the static COP parameters (r=0.66±0.1) followed by the MiniBESTest (r=0.57±0.2) and the SSST (r=0.54±0.1). The dynamic MoS parameter indicated a strong correlation (r=0.55) between EDSS and MoS. The CTSIB also demonstrated the strongest correlation with the dynamic balance-related parameter MoS (r=-0.72), followed by the SSST (r=-0.64) and the TUG (r=-0.63).

Conclusion This pilot study provides evidence that the CTSIB and the SSST effectively assess both, static and dynamic balance abilities. Further, static and dynamic balance in pwMS is partially correlated. The study will be expanded with more patients and healthy controls, and additional dynamic balance parameters (maximum Lyapunov exponent, whole-body angular momentum) will be evaluated.



Publication History

Article published online:
23 October 2025

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