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Falls and spinal muscular atrophy: Exploring cause and prevention
Author(s) -
Montes Jacqueline,
Mcisaac Tara L.,
Dunaway Sally,
KamilRosenberg Shirit,
Sproule Douglas,
Garber Carol Ewing,
De vivo Darryl C.,
Rao Ashwini K.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
muscle and nerve
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.025
H-Index - 145
eISSN - 1097-4598
pISSN - 0148-639X
DOI - 10.1002/mus.23656
Subject(s) - physical medicine and rehabilitation , gait , sma* , medicine , weakness , spinal muscular atrophy , physical therapy , population , poison control , muscle weakness , stride , gait analysis , surgery , disease , mathematics , environmental health , combinatorics
Falls can cause injury and may compromise function in spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) patients. Weakness and gait variability are associated with falls in other neurological disorders, and fatigue is well documented in SMA. The relationship of weakness, fatigue, and gait variability to falls has never been investigated. Methods: Seven ambulatory patients with SMA completed a falls history questionnaire, 6MWT, gait analysis, and strength testing. Pearson correlation coefficients were used to examine associations between these variables. Results: All 7 subjects reported falls in the previous year. Stride‐length variability was significantly associated with falls, unlike strength, fatigue, or other gait variables. Conclusions: Stride‐length variability was the key variable associated with falls. Preventive strategies to avoid falls should be incorporated into patient management plans. Gait analysis provides actionable information not revealed by standard assessments and should be included in clinical trials designed to address the prevention of falls in the SMA population. Muscle Nerve, 2013