TITLE:
A Comparison of Central Sensory Reception and Integration Abilities between Older Females with and without Fibromyalgia: A Pilot Study
AUTHORS:
Yi-Hsin Ko, Debra J. Rose
KEYWORDS:
ibromyalgia Syndrome, Older Adults, Sensory Organization Test®, Dual-Task
JOURNAL NAME:
Advances in Aging Research,
Vol.4 No.2,
March
12,
2015
ABSTRACT: Purpose: Impaired postural control has been reported in females with
fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). This study aimed to investigate a) differences in
central sensory reception and integration abilities for postural control
between older females with and without FMS, and b) the influence of a secondary
cognitive task on postural control in altered sensory environments. Methods:
The performances of 10 older females with FMS were compared to eight
age-matched healthy females across single and dual task conditions using the
Sensory Organization Test®. Results: No significant group
differences were evident for Composite Equilibrium Score (CES) in the single
task condition (p = 0.06) but a large
effect size (Cohen’s d = 0.96) was
obtained, suggesting a clinically relevant difference existed between groups
with respect to general sensory reception and integration abilities. Single
trial Equilibrium Scores (ESs) for both groups declined significantly in the
more complex sensory conditions across both task conditions (p p = 0.04). The FMS group also
experienced multiple falls in sensory conditions 5 and 6 across both task
conditions with a significantly higher percentage of falls evident for the FMS
group in condition 6 across both task conditions (p = 0.04). Conclusions: Overall postural stability was
significantly lower in the FMS group when compared to an age-matched control
group. Postural stability declined further in the FMS group when attempting to
perform a secondary cognitive task in both sensory conditions that primarily
relied on vestibular inputs for postural control. A greater focus on
multisensory and dual-task training in a balance environment may benefit older
females with FMS.