Postural control, the act of maintaining balance during any posture or activity, declines significantly over a one-year period in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), according to a study recently published in Developmental Neurorehabilitation.
Postural control is vital for humans to be able to carry out activities of daily living. Understanding the risks of poor postural control in DMD is important for doctors to develop useful interventions to safeguard this key health parameter.
To this end, the study’s authors sought to better understand how postural control changes over time in patients with DMD. Eighteen ambulatory individuals with DMD were included in the study, with one passing away before the end of the study period and another losing the ability to stand for postural control assessments. All participants were on corticosteroids throughout the study.
The researchers assessed postural control by asking patients to maintain balance under four different circumstances. These were: with both eyes open on a stable support base, with both eyes closed on a stable support base, with both eyes open while standing on a balance pad and with both eyes closed while standing on a balance pad. These were assessed at baseline, six months later and 12 months later.
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The results indicated that there was a significant decline in postural control over the one-year study period. Notably, researchers found an increase in center of pressure (COP) displacement velocity. Often used to measure posture stability, COP is the average location of where the body applies pressure to the ground; for example, leaning forward may move the COP from the heels to the toes. COP displacement velocity refers to rate at which the COP changes, and reflects how quickly the body can shift weight and rebalance.
COP displacement velocity deteriorated significantly in all four tests, meaning the participants had less ability to quickly rebalance. Significant changes were seen at the six month mark, and had worsened at the 12-month assessment.
“Over the course of 12 months, there is a decline in postural control in individuals with DMD, already significant in the 6-month period,” the research team concluded.
“Assessing postural control in this population becomes clinically relevant and important,” the study’s authors noted. They suggested that patients with DMD receive postural control assessments every six months so that exercises to preserve balance can be started as soon as they are needed.
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