The Effect of Visual Field Manipulations on Standing Balance Control in People with Multiple Sclerosis

Authors

Lara I. Riem, Marquette University
Scott A. Beardsley, Marquette UniversityFollow
Brian D. Schmit, Marquette UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

10-2021

Publisher

Elsevier

Source Publication

Gate and Posture

Source ISSN

0966-6362

Abstract

Background

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is associated with an increased risk of falls, degeneration of sensory organization, and possible increased reliance on vision for balance control.

Research question

The aim of this study was to assess differences in standing postural control between people with MS and age and sex matched controls during medial-lateral (ML) oscillations of the visual field, with and without blinders to the lower periphery.

Methods

Ten persons with MS (mean age 54.0 ± 5.3 years) and ten age and sex matched controls (mean age: 56.3 ± 6.0 years) participated in this study. Balance control was assessed while participants stood in a Christie Cave system while wearing stereoscopic glasses that projected an immersive forest scene. Visual conditions consisted of 2 m ML visual oscillations of the scene at five frequencies (0.0, 0.3, 0.6, 0.7 and 0.8 Hz) with and without blinders to block the lower periphery.

Results and significance

The results demonstrated that, in comparison to controls, participants with MS had a significantly larger center of pressure sway in both the ML and AP direction to ML visual oscillations. Additionally, participants with MS and controls both increased center of pressure frequency content to the visual oscillation frequency, while participants with MS also increased relative power at the visual oscillation frequency in the AP direction. Blinders of lower periphery reduced the percent power at the visual oscillation frequency in both groups and reduced overall sway in participants with MS during visual oscillations. Overall, results indicate that postural balance is sensitive to visual feedback in people with MS. The elicited AP sway to ML visual oscillation could reflect errors in visual processing for the control of balance, and decreased sway in response to blocking vision of the lower peripheral field could indicate an increased reliance on visual cues to maintain balance.

Comments

Accepted version. Gate and Posture, Vol. 90 (October 2021): 92-98. DOI. © 2021 Elsevier. Used with permission.

Recommended Citation

Riem, Lara I.; Beardsley, Scott A.; and Schmit, Brian D., "The Effect of Visual Field Manipulations on Standing Balance Control in People with Multiple Sclerosis" (2021). Biomedical Engineering Faculty Research and Publications. 645.
https://epublications.marquette.edu/bioengin_fac/645