Balance dysfunction in hereditary and spontaneous spastic paraparesis.

OBJECTIVE: To determine how postural sway is affected in people with spastic paraparesis (pwSP) and the impact of different impairments. METHODS: In 20 pwSP and 18 matched healthy controls standing postural sway was measured with eyes open and closed. Vibration threshold, isometric ankle and hip muscle strength and ankle stiffness with the participant at rest or preactivating the muscle was measured. RESULTS: Antero-posterior (AP) and medio-lateral (ML) sway was higher in pwSP. Muscle strength was reduced and ankle stiffness increased in pwSP. Increased vibratory threshold was seen in 35% of participants. Higher total ankle stiffness (R2=0.44) was associated with lower AP sway with eyes open whilst hip abductor weakness was associated with increased ML sway with eyes open (R2=0.36) or closed (R2=0.47) or AP sway with the eyes closed (R2=0.48). CONCLUSIONS: The degree of postural sway was related to muscle paresis of the hip abductors particularly in the ML direction and under conditions of reduced sensory input. People with higher total ankle stiffness have less AP sway suggesting that this may help to stabilise the body.