Effects of dynamic balance training during standing + stepping in CMT/HMSN

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Disabil Rehabil. 2006 Dec 15;28(23):1455-9.

Effects of dynamic balance training during standing and stepping in

patients with hereditary sensory motor neuropathy.

Matjacic Z, Zupan A.

Institute for Rehabilitation, Republic of Slovenia.

Purpose. To quantitatively evaluate the effects of dynamic balance

training in patients with hereditary sensory motor neuropathy

(HSMN).Methods. Sixteen patients with HSMN were randomly assigned to

either an experimental or control group. The intervention session

consisted of passive stretching, muscle strengthening and dynamic

balance training during standing and stepping, which differed in

that the experimental group used commercially available balance

training mechanical apparatus while the patients from the control

group were physically managed by a physiotherapist. The intervention

period was 12 days. Balance and mobility functions were assessed by

means of Berg Balance Scale, Up & go test and 10-m walk test before

and after the intervention period.Results. The within-group

comparison (1-way repeated measures ANOVA) for the experimental

group showed statistically significant improvement (p < 0.05) in

Berg Balance Scale, Up & go test and 10-m walk test, while within-

group comparison for the control group showed statistically

significant improvement only in Berg Balance Scale (p < 0.05). The

between-group comparison (2-way ANOVA) showed larger improvement in

the experimental group, however, these differences were not

statistically significant.Conclusion. Dynamic balance training is

useful training modality for patients with HSMN. When exercised in

the balance training mechanical apparatus used in this study enables

efficient balance and mobility training without requiring physical

assistance from a physiotherapist or a caregiver, which opens new

possibilities for continuing and more frequent physical exercise and

mobility training of patients with HSMN also at their homes.