Reactive Stepping and Fall-Related Psychological Factors in Multiple Sclerosis
Author Information
Author(s): Takla Taylor N., Monaghan Patrick G., Peterson Daniel S., Fritz Nora E.
Primary Institution: Wayne State University
Hypothesis
Greater concern about falling, lower balance confidence, and greater feared consequences of falling would be associated with poorer reactive stepping performance.
Conclusion
Reactive stepping was associated with fall-related psychological factors, suggesting that interventions targeting reactive stepping may enhance psychological well-being in the MS community.
Supporting Evidence
- Better reactive stepping performance was correlated with fewer concerns about falling.
- Greater balance confidence was associated with better reactive stepping outcomes.
- The study found significant correlations between psychological factors and reactive stepping performance, especially in non-fallers.
Takeaway
People with multiple sclerosis who are more worried about falling tend to have worse balance when trying to recover from a stumble.
Methodology
Participants completed measures on fall-related psychological factors and reactive stepping tasks, followed by weekly surveys for 3 months to report falls.
Potential Biases
Potential biases due to self-reported measures and the exclusion of other neurological disorders.
Limitations
The study's sample was limited to individuals with relapsing-remitting MS, which may affect generalizability, and the small number of fallers limited statistical power.
Participant Demographics
44 participants (35 females, 9 males) aged 31-65 with relapsing-remitting MS.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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