Abstract
BackgroundJoint Hypermobility Syndrome (JHS) is a rare Heritable Disorder of Connective tissue characterised by generalised joint laxity and chronic widespread pain. Joint Hypermobility Syndrome has a large impact on patients’ day to day activities, and many complain of symptoms when standing for prolonged periods. This study investigates whether people with JHS exhibit the same behaviours to deal with the effects of prolonged standing as people with equal hypermobility and no pain, and people with normal flexibility and no pain.MethodsTwenty three people with JHS, 22 people with Generalised Joint Hypermobility (GJH), and 22 people with normal flexibility (NF) were asked to stand for a maximum of 15 min across two force-plates. Fidgets were counted and quantified using a cumulative sum algorithm and sway parameters of the quiet standing periods between fidgets were calculated.ResultsAverage standing time for participants with JHS was 7.35 min and none stood for the full 15 min. All participants with GJH and NF completed 15 min of standing. There were no differences in fidgeting behaviour between any groups. There was a difference in anteroposterior sway (p = .029) during the quiet standing periods.ConclusionThere is no evidence to suggest people with JHS exhibit different fidgeting behaviour. Increased anteroposterior-sway may suggest a muscle weakness and strengthening muscles around the ankle may reduce postural sway and potentially improve the ability to stand for prolonged periods.
Highlights
Joint Hypermobility Syndrome (JHS) is a rare Heritable Disorder of Connective tissue characterised by generalised joint laxity and chronic widespread pain
JHS is a Heritable Disorder of Connective Tissue characterised by joint hypermobility and chronic pain, along with a suite of other articular and extra-articular symptoms [1]
We have only found one paper which explored the impact of prolonged standing in people with Generalised Joint Hypermobility (GJH); it concentrated on long-term vascular impact and found that hypermobility was a risk factor in developing venous insufficiency [8]
Summary
Joint Hypermobility Syndrome (JHS) is a rare Heritable Disorder of Connective tissue characterised by generalised joint laxity and chronic widespread pain. JHS is a Heritable Disorder of Connective Tissue characterised by joint hypermobility and chronic pain, along with a suite of other articular and extra-articular symptoms [1]. It is a rare condition affecting approximately 1 in 5000 to 20,000 [2]. During prolonged standing people perform behaviours which are thought to counteract these effects These behaviours include rapid changes of posture “fidgets”), asymmetrical loading, and continuous low-amplitude body sway [13, 16] These behaviours are thought to alleviate the symptoms of prolonged standing by several mechanisms. Alexander [17] proposed that changes in position, or ‘fidgeting’, was a method to reduce joint pressure by circulating synovial fluid in the joints
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