Changes in standing stability with balance-based torso-weighting with cerebellar ataxia: A pilot study.

Objectives: People with cerebellar ataxia have few options to improve the standing stability they need for function. Strategic placement of light weights on the torso using the balance-based torso-weighting (BBTW) method has improved stability and reduced falls in people with multiple sclerosis, but has not been tested in cerebellar ataxia. We examined whether torso-weighting increased standing stability and/or functional movement in people with cerebellar ataxia.

Effects of Torso-Weighting on Standing Balance and Falls During the Sensory Organization Test in People with Multiple Sclerosis.

Background: In people with multiple sclerosis (MS), common gait and balance impairments can lead to falls, fear of falling, activity restriction, and social isolation. Sensory augmentation in the form of torso-weighting has resulted in improvement in gait and balance, but research on its effect on falls in MS is lacking.

Methods: 60 people with MS and 10 bin-matched controls completed the Sensory Organization Test (SOT) while nonweighted and again while weighted using the Balance-Based Torso-Weighting assessment method.

Selecting Rehabilitation Outcome Measures for People with Multiple Sclerosis.

Despite the well-known benefits of using standardized outcome measures (OMs) in clinical practice, a variety of barriers interfere with their use. In particular, rehabilitation therapists lack sufficient knowledge in selecting appropriate OMs. The challenge is compounded when working with people with multiple sclerosis (MS) owing to heterogeneity of the patient population and symptom variability in individual patients.

Gait changes with balance-based torso-weighting in people with multiple sclerosis.

Background And Purpose: People with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) commonly have mobility impairments that may lead to falls and limitations in activities. Physiotherapy interventions that might improve mobility typically take several weeks. Balance-based torso-weighting (BBTW), a system of strategically placing light weights to improve response to balance perturbations, has resulted in immediate small improvements in clinical measures in PwMS, but changes in spatiotemporal gait parameters are unknown.

Standing data disproves biomechanical mechanism for balance-based torso-weighting.

Objective: To test a proposed mechanism for the effect of balance-based torso-weighting (BBTW) in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) and healthy controls. The mechanism to be tested is that application of light weights to the trunk may result in a biomechanical shift of postural sway in the direction of weighting, mechanically facilitating maintenance of the center of mass over the base of support.

Design: Nonrandomized controlled trial.

Randomized clinical trial of balance-based torso weighting for improving upright mobility in people with multiple sclerosis.

Background: Torso weighting has sometimes been effective for improving upright mobility in people with multiple sclerosis, but parameters for weighting have been inconsistent.

Objective: To determine whether balance-based torso weighting (BBTW) has immediate effects on upright mobility in people with multiple sclerosis.

Methods: This was a 2-phase randomized clinical trial.

Balance-based torso-weighting may enhance balance in persons with multiple sclerosis: preliminary evidence.

Objective: To determine whether weight placed on the trunk in response to directional balance loss would enhance function and stability in people with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Design: Quasi-experimental study in which subjects served as their own controls.

Setting: Research laboratory.