Exploration of Balance Difficulties in AIDS Neuropathy

Abstract

Background and Purpose: Often, patients with balance difficulties cannot function effectively in their environment due to an inability to perform activities of daily living (ADL). Severe balance difficulties may even restrict an individual's ability to remain employed. It is well documented in the literature that peripheral neuropathy resulting from diabetes mellitus (DM) is a common cause of balance difficulties among patients with diabetics. Cancer patients also frequently suffer from sensory neuropathies which result from the neoplasm itself, as well as use of chemotherapeutic agents. Similar neuropathic conditions are often found in persons living with AIDS; however, few studies have explored balance problems in this population. The purpose of this study was to examine balance dysfunctions that exist in a population with AIDS. Subjects: Three patients with AIDS-related neuropathy. All had pain in both legs and feet which is greatest in the feet. Neurological assessment revealed that all 3 individuals had decreased sensation in the distal portion of their bilateral lower extremities as well as decreased ankle proprioception bilaterally. Methods: The postural ability of 3 patients with AIDS neuropathy and 3 age-matched healthy men were assessed with the Balance Master®. Path sway and movement time of patients and healthy subjects were recorded and compared with a two-sample t-test. Results: Patients had prolonged movement time in relation to healthy subjects (patients = 5.23 ± 0.88 sec., healthy subjects = 4.51 ± 0.27 sec., P<0.05). There was no significant difference in path sway between patients and healthy subjects. Conclusion: There may be potential for balance difficulties in patients with AIDS neuropathy based on the findings of this small cohort.