Multiple Sclerosis
Conditions
Keywords
Multiple Sclerosis, muscle activation, ankle muscles, balance vest
Brief summary
Rationale: The Balance-Based Torso-Weighting (BBTW) is a patented evaluation system that uses strategic placement of small or lightweight weights on the trunk to improve balance and stability. BBTW has been found to improve the upright mobility of people with multiple sclerosis, however the mechanism underlying the improvement of balance and gait is still unknown.1-2 Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the immediate effects of BBTW on muscle activation of tibialis anterior and gastrocsoleus and sway using electromyography and force plates during balance tests in people with MS and healthy controls?
Detailed description
Research Questions: Question #1 - Is there a difference in EMG within postural muscles (tibialis anterior and gastrocsoleus) and between healthy and MS when not wearing weighted vest with eyes open? Question #2 - Is there a difference in EMG within postural muscles (tibialis anterior and gastrocsoleus) and between healthy and MS when not wearing weighted vest with eyes closed? Question #3 - Is there a difference in EMG within postural muscles (tibialis anterior and gastrocsoleus) and between healthy and MS when wearing weighted vest eyes open? Question #4 - Is there a difference in EMG within postural muscles (tibialis anterior and gastrocsoleus) and between healthy and MS when wearing weighted vest eyes closed? Question #5 - Is there a difference in SWAY within postural muscles (tibialis anterior and gastrocsoleus) and between healthy and MS when not wearing weighted vest with eyes open? Question #6 - Is there a difference in SWAY within postural muscles (tibialis anterior and gastrocsoleus) and between healthy and MS when not wearing weighted vest with eyes closed? Question #7 - Is there a difference in SWAY within postural muscles (tibialis anterior and gastrocsoleus) and between healthy and MS when wearing weighted vest eyes open? Question #8 - Is there a difference in SWAY within postural muscles (tibialis anterior and gastrocsoleus) and between healthy and MS when wearing weighted vest eyes closed? Research Design: Quasi-experimental design
Interventions
OTHERbalance based torso weighting
The intervention in this study is the Balance-Based-Torso-Weighting (BBTW) which will be applied on individuals with MS and healthy controls. It involves the strategic placement of weights based on the assessment of the loss of balance in three dimensions: anterior-posterior, lateral, rotational to counteract the balance loss.4 The BBTW Evaluation Tool Kit will be used to determine the location of the weights. It consists of an adjustable testing vest; rigid orthotic; five pounds worth of weights divided into 1/16, 1/8, 1/4, 1/2 lb. increments; and exam evaluation forms (www.motiontherapeutics.com).
Sponsors
University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences
Study design
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Intervention model description
20 participants with multiple sclerosis and 20 participants without multiple sclerosis in a Quasi experimental design
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 75 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
for Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis group: * self-reported diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) * age 18 to 75 years old * able to communicate in English * able to provide informed consent * able to tolerate up to three hours of testing with rest breaks * able to walk 20 meters with or without assistive device and without resting (equivalent to Expanded Disability Status Scale of 6.5 or less). Inclusion criteria for the Healthy Control group: * able to communicate in English * able to provide informed consent * physical criteria that matched each participant with MS which included age (within 7 years), height (within 12.7 cm \[5 in\]), mass (within 9.1 kg \[20 lb\]) and sex.
Exclusion criteria
for Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis group: * exacerbation of MS within the past two months * had a diagnosis of a concurrent neurological disorder (head injury, stroke, Parkinson's disease, etc.) * reported pain that could be exacerbated by external perturbations during standing.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Muscle Activation of B lateral gastrocnemius and tibialis anterior | Baseline and study completion, after an average of three hours | Noraxon EMG will be used to measure muscle activation |
| Postural Sway as measured by center of pressure displacement | Baseline and study completion, after an average of three hours | Kistler Force Plate will be used center of pressure displacement in the x and y axis |
Countries
United States
Contacts
Primary ContactAmie F Jasper, DPT, PhD
Backup ContactEvan Pucillo
Outcome results
None listed