Estimation of Postural Stability of A Patient with Multiple Sclerosis During a Rehabilitation Program - Case Study

Background and purpose: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating disease, usually with multifocal symptoms and multiphasic course that is emerging as a result of inflammation and the formation of foci of myelin breakdown in the central nervous system as a consequence of not fully known harmful external factors. The aim of this study was to analyze the results of tests allowing to detect imbalances in patients with multiple sclerosis. Material and Methods: A 38 year old male with MS diagnosed in 2006 was examined. The study used three tests of balance: "Timed Up & Go" test, Tinetti test and Berg Balance Scale. The results of the scale were analyzed, which consisted in a variety of motor tasks assessing balance and gait. Tests were repeated every month for 10 months. Results: The results in each test over 10 months significantly change. Changes in response to the increase of the number of tasks and the difficulty of the test occured. As a consequence of impaired balance control, the number of falls increased. Conclusions: The stability of the patient with multiple sclerosis is getting worse in each test evaluated. The deficit of stability increased in response to increasing the number of tasks and increasing the difficulty of the test. A key role in postural stability in standing plays the pelvis and lumbo-pelvic-hip complex.