Abstract
BackgroundJoint Hypermobility Syndrome (JHS) is a Heritable Disorder of Connective tissue characterised by joint laxity and chronic widespread arthralgia. People with JHS exhibit a range of other symptoms including balance problems. To explore balance further, the objective of this study is to compare responses to forward perturbations between three groups; people who are hypermobile with (JHS) and without symptoms and people with normal flexibility.MethodsTwenty-one participants with JHS, 23 participants with Generalised Joint Hypermobility (GJH) and 22 participants who have normal flexibility (NF) stood on a platform that performed 6 sequential, sudden forward perturbations (the platform moved to the anterior to the participant). Electromyographic outcomes (EMG) and kinematics for the lower limbs were recorded using a Vicon motion capture system. Within and between group comparisons were made using Kruskal Wallis tests.ResultsThere were no significant differences between groups in muscle onset latency. At the 1st perturbation the group with JHS had significantly longer time-to-peak amplitude than the NF group in tibialis anterior, vastus medialis, rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, and than the GJH group in the gluteus medius. The JHS group showed significantly higher cumulative joint angle (CA) than the NF group in the hip and knee at the 1st and 2nd and 6th perturbation, and in the ankle at the 2nd perturbation. Participants with JHS had significantly higher CA than the GJH group at the in the hip and knee in the 1st and 2nd perturbation. There were no significant differences in TTR.ConclusionsThe JHS group were able to normalise the timing of their muscular response in relation to control groups. They were less able to normalise joint CA, which may be indicative of impaired balance control and strength, resulting in reduced stability.
Highlights
Joint Hypermobility Syndrome (JHS) is a Heritable Disorder of Connective tissue characterised by joint laxity and chronic widespread arthralgia
Joint Hypermobility Syndrome (JHS) is a Heritable Disorder of Connective Tissue which is considered synonymous with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome Hypermobility Type [1]
The classification of JHS and Generalised Joint Hypermobility (GJH) have altered to recognise the spectrum of the disorder from an asymptomatic generalised hypermobility through to a multiple system, painful condition called hypermobile Ehlers Danlos Syndrome [16, 17]
Summary
Joint Hypermobility Syndrome (JHS) is a Heritable Disorder of Connective tissue characterised by joint laxity and chronic widespread arthralgia. The prevailing characteristics of JHS are joint laxity and chronic pain [2], there are many other signs and symptoms including neurophysiological involvement [3], muscle weakness [4, 5], reduced proprioception [6,7,8], increased reflex latency [9], joint instability [10] and impaired balance [11]. The classification of JHS and GJH have altered to recognise the spectrum of the disorder from an asymptomatic generalised hypermobility through to a multiple system, painful condition called hypermobile Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (hEDS) [16, 17]. In this study we use the terms JHS and GJH as the data was collected before this new classification system was published
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
