Characteristics of improvements in balance control using vibro-tactile biofeedback of trunk sway for multiple sclerosis patients

Allum, J.H.J.; Rust, H.M.; Lutz, Nathanael; Schouenborg, C.; Fischer-Barnicol, B.; Haller, V.; Derfuss, T.; Kuhle, J.; Yaldizli, Ö. (2021). Characteristics of improvements in balance control using vibro-tactile biofeedback of trunk sway for multiple sclerosis patients Journal of the Neurological Sciences, 425, p. 117432. ELSEVIER 10.1016/j.jns.2021.117432

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Background and aims: Previously, we determined that training with vibrotactile feedback (VTfb) of trunk sway improves MS patients’ balance impairment. Here, we posed 5 questions: 1) How many weeks of VTfb training are required to obtain the best short-term carry over effect (CoE) with VTfb? 2) How long does the CoE last once VTfb training terminates? 3) Is the benefit similar for stance and gait? 4) Is position or velocity based VTfb more effective in reducing trunk sway? 5) Do patients’ subjective assessments of balance control improve? Methods: Balance control of 16 MS patients was measured with gyroscopes at the lower trunk. The gyroscopes drove directionally active VTfb in a head-band. Patients trained twice per week with VTfb for 4 weeks to determine when balance control with and without VTfb stopped improving. Thereafter, weekly assessments without VTfb over 4 weeks and at 6 months determined when CoEs ended. Results: A 20% improvement in balance to normal levels occurred with VTfb. Short term CoEs improved from 15 to 20% (p ≤0.001). Medium term (1–4 weeks) CoEs were constant at 19% (p ≤0.001). At 6 months improvement was not significant, 9%. Most improvement was for lateral sway. Equal improvement occurred when angle position or velocity drove VTfb. Subjectively, balance improvements peaked after 3 weeks of training (32%, p ≤0.05). Conclusions: 3–4 weeks VTfb training yields clinically relevant sway reductions and subjective improvements for MS patients during stance and gait. The CoEs lasted at least 1 month. Velocity-based VTfb was equally effective as position-based VTfb

Item Type:	Journal Article (Original Article)
Division/Institute:	School of Health Professions > Physiotherapy
Name:	Allum, J.H.J.; Rust, H.M.; Lutz, Nathanael0000-0002-7512-7060; Schouenborg, C.; Fischer-Barnicol, B.; Haller, V.; Derfuss, T.; Kuhle, J. and Yaldizli, Ö.
Subjects:	R Medicine > R Medicine (General)
ISSN:	0022-510X
Publisher:	ELSEVIER
Language:	English
Submitter:	Nathanael Lutz
Date Deposited:	14 Jun 2021 09:49
Last Modified:	10 May 2022 21:45
Publisher DOI:	10.1016/j.jns.2021.117432
ARBOR DOI:	10.24451/arbor.14911
URI:	https://arbor.bfh.ch/id/eprint/14911