Validity of visual perceptive computing for static posturography in patients with multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND

Multiple sclerosis (MS) patients frequently have postural control impairment but quantitative posturography is difficult to perform in clinical care. Recent technology facilitates new posturography approaches.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate construct validity of visual perceptive computing (VPC) for static posturography to study postural control in MS patients.

METHODS

A total of 90 MS patients and 59 healthy controls (HCs) performed three stance tests: open, closed and tandem stance. Static posturography was performed using a VPC system with Microsoft Kinect. Clinical assessments included Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), Timed-25-Foot-Walk, Short-Maximum-Speed-Walk and 12-item MS Walking Scale (MSWS-12) questionnaire. Reliability was assessed with intra-class correlation coefficients at retest.

RESULTS

As a group, MS patients performed worse than HCs in all tests. The closed stance test showed best applicability and reliability. With closed eyes, in 36.7% of patients, the three-dimensional mean angular sway velocity (MSV-3D) was above HCs' 95th percentile. Higher MSV-3D was associated with decreased walking speed (p < 0.001); worse clinical scores, mainly attributable to the cerebellar functional system score (p < 0.001); and reflected in self-reported walking disability (MSWS-12, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Postural control can be reliably assessed by VPC-based static posturography in patients with MS. Abnormal postural control seems to predominantly reflect involvement of cerebellar circuits with impact on gait and walking disability.