Ylva Nilsagård

Predicting accidental falls in people with multiple sclerosis — a longitudinal study

Objective: To investigate accidental falls and near fall incidents in people with multiple sclerosis with respect to clinical variables and the predictive values of four tests. Design: A longitudinal, multi-centred cohort study with prospectively collected falls. Procedures: Self-reported incidents during the three months following a standardized test procedure. Subjects: Seventy-six people with multiple sclerosis and an Expanded Disability Status Scale score between 3.5 and 6.0. Main outcome measures: Berg Balance Scale, Timed Up and Go cognitive, Four Square Step Test (FSST) and 12-item Multiple Sclerosis Walking Scale. Results: Forty-eight people (63%) registered 270 falls. Most falls occurred indoors during activities of daily life. We found a correlation of rs=0.57 between near falls and falls, and of rs = 0.82 between registered and retrospectively recalled falls. Fallers and non-fallers differed significantly regarding Expanded Disability Status Score (odds ratio (OR) 1.99, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.22; 3.40), spasticity (OR 1.14, CI 1.02; 1.31), proprioception (OR 2.50, CI 1.36; 5.12) and use of walking aids (OR 2.27, CI 1.23; 4.37). Reported use of walking aids both indoors and outdoors increased the odds of falling fivefold while disturbed proprioception increased the odds 2.5—15.6 times depending on severity. The odds of falling were doubled for each degree of increased Expanded Disability Status Score and more than doubled for each degree of increased spasticity. The Berg Balance Scale, use of walking aids and Timed Up and Go cognitive best identified fallers (73—94%) and proprioception, Expanded Disability Status Score, 12-item Multiple Sclerosis Walking Scale and Four Square Step Test best identified non-fallers (75—93%). Conclusions: In clinical practice, looking at the use of walking aids, investigating proprioception and spasticity, rating Expanded Disability Status Score and using Berg Balance Scale or Timed Up and Go cognitive all contribute when identifying fallers.

Balance exercise for persons with multiple sclerosis using Wii games: a randomised, controlled multi-centre study

Background: The use of interactive video games is expanding within rehabilitation. The evidence base is, however, limited. Objective: Our aim was to evaluate the effects of a Nintendo Wii Fit® balance exercise programme on balance function and walking ability in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). Methods: A multi-centre, randomised, controlled single-blinded trial with random allocation to exercise or no exercise. The exercise group participated in a programme of 12 supervised 30-min sessions of balance exercises using Wii games, twice a week for 6–7 weeks. Primary outcome was the Timed Up and Go test (TUG). In total, 84 participants were enrolled; four were lost to follow-up. Results: After the intervention, there were no statistically significant differences between groups but effect sizes for the TUG, TUGcognitive and, the Dynamic Gait Index (DGI) were moderate and small for all other measures. Statistically significant improvements within the exercise group were present for all measures (large to moderate effect sizes) except in walking speed and balance confidence. The non-exercise group showed statistically significant improvements for the Four Square Step Test and the DGI. Conclusion: In comparison with no intervention, a programme of supervised balance exercise using Nintendo Wii Fit® did not render statistically significant differences, but presented moderate effect sizes for several measures of balance performance.

Factors perceived as being related to accidental falls by persons with multiple sclerosis

Purpose. This study explores and describes factors that persons with multiple sclerosis (MS) perceive as being related to accidental falls. Method. A qualitative content analysis with primarily deductive approach was conducted using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health. Twelve persons with MS, and identified as fallers, were interviewed. Results. Factors perceived to cause accidental falls that had not previously been targeted in MS populations in relation to falls were identified as divided attention, reduced muscular endurance, fatigue and heat sensitivity. Previously reported risk factors such as changed gait pattern, limited walking ability, impaired proprioception, vision and spasticity were supported. Activities involving walking, recreation and leisure, maintaining and changing body position, lifting or carrying, taking care of the home, washing the body, moving around, preparing meals and housekeeping were limited and considered to be risk activities. Supportive persons and assistive device reduced falls, and unsuitable physical environments and climate conditions induced falls. Several preventative strategies were described as partially compensating for the impairments, limitations and restrictions. Conclusions. Investigating accidental falls using the perspective of the patient gave important information about variables not earlier targeted in MS research.

Evaluation of therapeutic riding (Sweden)/hippotherapy (United States). A single-subject experimental design study replicated in eleven patients with multiple sclerosis.

The aim of this study was to investigate whether therapeutic riding (TR, Sweden)hippotherapy (HT, United States) may affect balance, gait, spasticity, functional strength, coordination, pain, self-rated level of muscle tension (SRLMT), activities of daily living (ADL), and health-related quality of life. Eleven patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) were studied in a single-subject experimental design (SSED) study, type A-B-A. The intervention comprised ten weekly TR/HT sessions of 30 minutes each. The subjects were measured a maximum of 13 times. Physical tests were: the Berg balance scale, walking a figure of eight, the timed up and go test, 10 m walking, the modified Ashworth scale, the Index of Muscle Function, the Birgitta Lindmark motor assessment, part B, and individual measurements. Self-rated measures were: the Visual Analog Scale for pain, a scale for SRLMT, the Patient-Specific Functional Scale for ADL, and the SF-36. Data were analyzed visually, semi-statistically and considering clinical significance. Results showed improvement for ten subjects in one or more of the variables, particularly balance, and some improvements were also seen in pain, muscle tension, and ADL. Changes in SF-36 were mostly positive, with an improvement in Role-Emotional seen in eight patients. Conclusively, balance and Role-Emotional were the variables most often improved, but TR/HT appeared to benefit the subjects differently.

Falls in people with MS—an individual data meta-analysis from studies from Australia, Sweden, United Kingdom and the United States

Background: Falls are common in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). Previous studies have generally included small samples and had varied methods. Objectives: The objectives of this paper are to compile fall rates across a broad range of ages and disease severity and to definitively assess the extent to which MS-associated and demographic factors influence fall rates. Methods: Individual data from studies in four countries that prospectively measured falls for three months were analyzed. We determined fall rates, prevalence of fallers (≥1 falls) and frequent fallers (≥2 falls), location and timing of falls, and fall-related demographic factors. Results: A total of 537 participants reported 1721 falls: 56% were fallers and 37% frequent fallers. Most falls occurred indoors (65%) between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. (75%). Primary progressive MS was associated with significantly increased odds of being a faller (odds ratio (OR) 2.02; CI 1.08–3.78). Fall risk peaked at EDSS levels of 4.0 and 6.0 with significant ORs between 5.30 (2.23–12.64) and 5.10 (2.08–12.47). The fall rate was lower in women than men (relative risk (RR) 0.80; CI 0.67–0.94) and decreased with increasing age (RR 0.97 for each year, CI 0.95–0.98). Conclusion: PwMS are at high risk of falls and there are important associations between falls and MS-associated disability, gender and age.

Activities-Specific Balance Confidence in People with Multiple Sclerosis

Objective. To evaluate the validity of the Activities-specific Balance Confidence scale (ABC) in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). Design. A multicentre, cross-sectional study. Setting. Six rural and urban Swedish sites, including specialized units at hospitals and primary care centers. Participants. A sample of 84 PwMS with subjective gait and balance impairment but still able to walk 100 m (comparable with EDSS 1–6). Outcome Measures. Timed Up and Go, Timed Up and Gocog, 25-foot Timed Walk Test, Four Square Step Test, Dynamic Gait Index, Chair Stand Test, 12-item MS Walking Scale, self-reported falls, and use of assistive walking device were used for validation. Results. The concurrent convergent validity was moderate to good (0.50 to −0.75) with the highest correlation found for the 12-item MS Walking Scale. The ABC discriminated between multiple fallers and nonfallers but not between men and women. Ecological validity is suggested since ABC discriminated between users of assistive walking device and nonusers. The internal consistency was high at α = 0.95, and interitem correlations were between 0.30 and 0.83. Conclusion. This study supports the validity of the ABC for persons with mild-to-moderate MS. The participants lacked balance confidence in many everyday activities, likely restricting their participation in society.

Balance Exercise Program Reduced Falls in People With Multiple Sclerosis: A Single-Group, Pretest-Posttest Trial

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effects of a balance exercise program on falls in people with mild to moderate multiple sclerosis (MS). DESIGN Multicenter, single-blinded, single-group, pretest-posttest trial. SETTING Seven rehabilitation units within 5 county councils. PARTICIPANTS Community-dwelling adults with MS (N=32) able to walk 100m but unable to maintain 30-second tandem stance with arms alongside the body. INTERVENTION Seven weeks of twice-weekly, physiotherapist-led 60-minute sessions of group-based balance exercise targeting core stability, dual tasking, and sensory strategies (CoDuSe). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Primary outcomes: number of prospectively reported falls and proportion of participants classified as fallers during 7 preintervention weeks, intervention period, and 7 postintervention weeks. Secondary outcomes: balance performance on the Berg Balance Scale, Four Square Step Test, sit-to-stand test, timed Up and Go test (alone and with cognitive component), and Functional Gait Assessment Scale; perceived limitations in walking on the 12-item MS Walking Scale; and balance confidence on the Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale rated 7 weeks before intervention, directly after intervention, and 7 weeks later. RESULTS Number of falls (166 to 43; P≤.001) and proportion of fallers (17/32 to 10/32; P≤.039) decreased significantly between the preintervention and postintervention periods. Balance performance improved significantly. No significant differences were detected for perceived limitations in walking, balance confidence, the timed Up and Go test, or sit-to-stand test. CONCLUSIONS The CoDuSe program reduced falls and proportion of fallers and improved balance performance in people with mild to moderate MS but did not significantly alter perceived limitations in walking and balance confidence.

Stress resilience in male adolescents and subsequent stroke risk : cohort study

Objective Exposure to psychosocial stress has been identified as a possible stroke risk, but the role of stress resilience which may be relevant to chronic exposure is uncertain. We investigated the association of stress resilience in adolescence with subsequent stroke risk. Methods Register-based cohort study. Some 237 879 males born between 1952 and 1956 were followed from 1987 to 2010 using information from Swedish registers. Cox regression estimated the association of stress resilience with stroke, after adjustment for established stroke risk factors. Results Some 3411 diagnoses of first stroke were identified. Lowest stress resilience (21.8%) compared with the highest (23.7%) was associated with increased stroke risk, producing unadjusted HR (with 95% CIs) of 1.54 (1.40 to 1.70). The association attenuated slightly to 1.48 (1.34 to 1.63) after adjustment for markers of socioeconomic circumstances in childhood; and after further adjustment for markers of development and disease in adolescence (blood pressure, cognitive function and pre-existing cardiovascular disease) to 1.30 (1.18 to 1.45). The greatest reduction followed further adjustment for markers of physical fitness (BMI and physical working capacity) in adolescence to 1.16 (1.04 to 1.29). The results were consistent when stroke was subdivided into fatal, ischaemic and haemorrhagic, with higher magnitude associations for fatal rather than non-fatal, and for haemorrhagic rather than ischaemic stroke. Conclusions Stress susceptibility and, therefore, psychosocial stress may be implicated in the aetiology of stroke. This association may be explained, in part, by poorer physical fitness. Effective prevention might focus on behaviour/lifestyle and psychosocial stress.

Perceptions of using videogames in rehabilitation: a dual perspective of people with multiple sclerosis and physiotherapists

Abstract Purpose: Our aim was to describe experiences of using Nintendo Wii Fit™ for balance exercise, from the perspectives of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and their physiotherapists (PT). Methods: Individual interviews with 15 patients with MS were conducted, recruited from a multi-centre study investigating the effects of balance exercising using Wii Fit. We also conducted a single focus group interview with nine PT involved in the study. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analysed using content analysis. Results: Both patients and PT said that exercising with Wii Fit games was fun, and that it challenged the patients’ physical and cognitive capacities. The competitive content in the games provided motivation to continue playing. Patients and PT reported improved body control and, more importantly, positive effects on balance and walking in daily life. The PT regarded Wii training as an effective alternative to other balance training, but some felt unsure in how to manage the video game. The patients regarded Wii training as a possible home training solution. Conclusions: Patients with MS and their PT considered Wii Fit exercises to be fun, challenging, and self-motivating. Exercising with Wii games can address balance impairments in MS, and can be performed at home as well as in rehabilitation settings. Implications for Rehabilitation Nintendo Wii Fit™ can be used as a fun and challenging way to perform balance exercises. The competitive content embedded in the games triggers continued playing and exercising. The positive effect on balance control can improve standing and walking in everyday activities.

Self-perceived limitations of gait in persons with multiple sclerosis

This study aimed to describe the self-perceived walking limitations of those with multiple sclerosis (MS) using the Swedish translation of the 12-item MS Walking Scale [MSWS-12 (S)], and to investigate it for concurrent validity and internal consistency. Eighty-one persons, recruited from five centres in Sweden, were tested using the Four Square Step Test (FSST), the Timed Up and Go cognitive (TUGcog) and the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) in randomized order, besides filling in the MSWS-12 (S). Perceived limitations were reported in 89–96% of the sample, i.e. performance of activities related to standing or walking, decreased speed and distance, and qualitative aspects; and self-perception regarding the ability to run being most extremely affected. Correlations between the MSWS-12 (S) and the objective tests were low, as were correlations between items in the MSWS-12 (S) and the BBS or time taken to complete the TUGcog or the FSST. The internal consistency was acceptable for nine of the 12 items (0.7–0.84). The majority of the sample experienced limitations in several aspects of their walking ability. Concurrent validity was not established between the MSWS-12 (S) and the other tests. There may be a discrepancy in self- perception of disability and objective measures. The use of subjective, as well as objective measures is recommended.