Balance-Based Torso-Weighting Results In Fall Reduction During Sensory Organization Test For People With Multiple Sclerosis (S28.003)

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether Balance-Based Torso-Weighting (BBTW) affected balance and falls in People with MS (PwMS) or healthy controls (HC) during Sensory Organization Testing (SOT). BACKGROUND: PwMS fall frequently. BBTW has demonstrated improvement in gait characteristics and function in PWMS. Effect on falls was unknown. DESIGN/METHODS: Population - 60 PwMS with self-identified gait and balance difficulties (Disease Steps 1-4) and 10 healthy controls (HC) that were bin-matched for age and sex. Subjects completed the SOT on the SMART EquiTest® BalanceMaster twice in a single session, once without weights (NW) and a second time with the strategic placement of light-weights (BBTW). Primary Outcome Measures: The SOT composite score (CS) recorded participants’ quiet standing for 3 trials in each of 6 conditions: eyes open (EO), eyes closed (EC), surround moving (EO), platform moving EO, platform moving EC, and platform and surround moving together EO. Fall frequency during trials 2 and 3 for all 6 conditions were calculated for NW and BBTW conditions removing trial 1 from both to reduce the impact of learning the test. Statistical methods: Dependent t-tests compared CS and fall number within PwMS and HC, and independent t-test compared MS to HC with alpha set at 0.05. RESULTS: A statistically significant change occurred in mean (SD) CS from NW to BBTW conditions for PwMS, 50.5 (14.6) to 59.7 (14.5), respectively (P<0.001). No change in CS occurred NW to BBTW in HC, 73.9 (6.0) and 75.2 (9.5), respectively (P=0.626). The minimal detectable change for CS is 8 percentage points. 34 PwMS (55[percnt]) and 3 HC (30[percnt]) increased their CS by at least 8 percentage points. Fall occurrence was significantly reduced with BBTW in PwMS (P<0.001), but not in HC (P=0.484). CONCLUSIONS: A significant decline in fall number and increase in CS occurred with BBTW for PwMS but not for HC. Disclosure: Dr. Gibson-Horn holds stock and/or stock options in Motion Therapeutics. Dr. Widener has nothing to disclose. Dr. Allen has received personal compensation for activities with Kaiser Permanente as an instructor. Dr. Horn9s family holds stock and/or stock options in Motion Therapeutics, Inc.