Targeting Dynamic Balance in Falls-Prevention Interventions in Multiple Sclerosis

Abstract

Balance deficits are common in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) and are associated with past and future falls. People with MS tend to fall during activities of daily living and recreation that involve transitions between body positions and during walking and turning. The evident deficits in dynamic balance may be partly due to impairment in the collection or integration of sensory inputs or the execution of appropriate movements in moments of distraction. There is growing evidence that dynamic balance is modifiable and that improvements in dynamic balance are associated with reduction in falls. Consequently, it is imperative that balance measures be appropriate to capture changes in components of dynamic balance. There are numerous ways to measure dynamic balance. When selecting the appropriate dynamic balance measure for an MS falls-prevention trial, the inclusion criteria and content of intervention will inform the choice of measure. The International MS Falls Prevention Research Network (IMSFPRN) suggests that measures of dynamic balance be included as an outcome measure for use in falls-prevention trials.