Abstract
Purpose: Impaired postural control has been reported in females with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). This study aimed to investigate a) differences in central sensory reception and integration abilities for postural control between older females with and without FMS, and b) the influence of a secondary cognitive task on postural control in altered sensory environments. Methods: The performances of 10 older females with FMS were compared to eight age-matched healthy females across single and dual task conditions using the Sensory Organization Test®. Results: No significant group differences were evident for Composite Equilibrium Score (CES) in the single task condition (p = 0.06) but a large effect size (Cohen’s d = 0.96) was obtained, suggesting a clinically relevant difference existed between groups with respect to general sensory reception and integration abilities. Single trial Equilibrium Scores (ESs) for both groups declined significantly in the more complex sensory conditions across both task conditions (p < 0.01) with a greater decline evident for the FMS group in sensory condition 4 in the dual-task condition (p = 0.04). The FMS group also experienced multiple falls in sensory conditions 5 and 6 across both task conditions with a significantly higher percentage of falls evident for the FMS group in condition 6 across both task conditions (p = 0.04). Conclusions: Overall postural stability was significantly lower in the FMS group when compared to an age-matched control group. Postural stability declined further in the FMS group when attempting to perform a secondary cognitive task in both sensory conditions that primarily relied on vestibular inputs for postural control. A greater focus on multisensory and dual-task training in a balance environment may benefit older females with FMS.
Highlights
Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a chronic pain disorder that is characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, stiffness, fatigue, in addition to other bodily symptoms [1]-[4]
Higher weighted total scores were evident for the FMS group on the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQR)/Symptom Impact Questionnaire (SIQR) when compared to the healthy control (HC) group
The present study demonstrated that overall levels of postural stability were lower in a group of older women with FMS when compared to an age-matched control group as indicated by the large effect size for Composite Equilibrium Score (CES)
Summary
Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a chronic pain disorder that is characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, stiffness, fatigue, in addition to other bodily symptoms [1]-[4]. Bayazit et al [12] have suggested that neural brainstem disintegration may explain some of the significant changes in sensory function in persons with FMS. The SOT provides a comprehensive evaluation of central sensory reception and integration abilities and can identify specific impairments in each of the three sensory systems (i.e., vision, somatosensory, vestibular) that contribute to balance. This test has been widely used to evaluate central sensory function across a number of different populations, including older adults [16]-[18]
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