Abstract
The postural control assessments in patients with neurological diseases lack reliability and sensitivity to small changes in patient functionality. The appearance of pressure mapping has allowed quantitative evaluation of postural control in sitting. This study was carried out to determine the evaluations in pressure mapping and verifying whether they are different between the three sample groups (multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury and Friedreich’s ataxia), and to determine whether the variables extracted from the pressure mapping analysis are more sensitive than functional tests to evaluate the postural trunk control. A case series study was carried out in a sample of 10 adult patients with multiple sclerosis (n = 2), spinal cord injury (n = 4) and Friedreich’s ataxia (n = 4). The tests applied were: pressure mapping, seated Lateral Reach Test, seated Functional Reach Test, Berg Balance Scale, Posture and Postural Ability Scale, Function in Sitting Test, and Trunk Control Test. The participants with Friedreich’s ataxia showed a tendency to present a higher mean pressure on the seat of subject’s wheelchair compared to other groups. In parallel, users with spinal cord injury showed a tendency to present the highest values of maximum pressure and area of contact. People with different neurological pathologies and similar results in functional tests have very different results in the pressure mapping. Although it is not possible to establish a strong statistical correlation, the relationships between the pressure mapping variables and the functional tests seem to be numerous, especially in the multiple sclerosis group.
Highlights
Motor control includes all sensory-motor and cognitive processes, through which the neuro-muscular activities employed in a coordinated movement are organized
Subjects with multiple sclerosis accounted for 20% of the sample and those with Friedreich’s ataxia and spinal cord injury accounted for 40% each
The results obtained in the functional tests revealed a higher deterioration of postural control in the group of people with multiple sclerosis, who showed the lowest score
Summary
Motor control includes all sensory-motor and cognitive processes, through which the neuro-muscular activities employed in a coordinated movement are organized It is the integration of all sensory information (both internal and external) to apply the correct combination of muscular solicitation that results in the desired movement. All this requires is the coordinated interaction of the nervous and musculoskeletal systems and is essential for the interaction of the individual with the environment, since, in combination with a voluntary movement action, it is crucial to maintain in control of one’s posture [1,2,3]. Trunk control has been identified as an important early predictor of the functionality of people with neurological disorders and is considered a prerequisite to maintain one’s posture while sitting and standing, to maintain one’s gait while walking, and to simultaneously perform several tasks [6,7]
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