Increased postural sway in persons with multiple sclerosis during short-term exposure to warm ambient temperatures

Publication date: Available online 8 February 2017
Source:Gait & Posture
Author(s): Paula Y.S. Poh, Amy N. Adams, Mu Huang, Dustin R. Allen, Scott L. Davis, Anna S. Tseng, Craig G. Crandall
BackgroundMultiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurological disease marked by demyelination and axonal loss. Individuals with MS experience increases in clinical signs and symptoms during heat exposure.Objective: To test the hypothesis that moderate heat exposure adversely affects postural sway in individuals with MS.MethodsTen individuals with relapsing-remitting MS (50±8y) and nine controls (47±10y) were examined under a Thermal and a Time Control trial. Following a 30min thermoneutral baseline (25°C, 30% relative humidity (RH)), stand tests randomized with eyes open and closed, was performed. For Thermal, subjects were first exposed to 60min of heating (40°C, 30%RH) followed by 60min of cooling (20°C, 30%RH). For Time Control, subjects remained in a thermoneutral environment throughout. Stand tests were repeated at consistent times in both trials.ResultsNo difference in skin and core temperatures between groups were observed for any trial (P >0.05). During heating, postural sway was higher in MS relative to control subjects (eyes open, P=0.03; eyes closed, P=0.011). No differences in postural sway, regardless of eye status, were observed during the Time Control trial for either group (P >0.05).ConclusionThese data demonstrate that exposure to a moderate heating environment increases postural sway in patients with MS.



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