Postural instability in Charcot-Marie-Tooth type 1A patients is strongly associated with reduced somatosensation.

In order to determine the influence of somatosensory impairments, due to the loss of large myelinated fibres, on the postural stability of Charcot-Marie-Tooth 1A (CMT) patients, a cross-sectional balance assessment was done. Nine CMT patients were compared with eight patients with a distal type of Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), and 11 healthy control subjects. The balance assessment consisted of four tasks: quiet barefoot standing on a stable versus compliant surface, with eyes opened or closed.

Is visuospatial hemineglect really a determinant of postural control following stroke? An acute-phase study.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the independent contribution of visuospatial hemineglect to impaired postural control in the acute phase (<2 weeks) of stroke compared with other possible clinical and biological determinants.

Methods: This study was conducted in 4 hospitals in the mid-east region of the Netherlands. A total of 78 consecutive patients with a first-ever acute supratentorial stroke was included.