Margin of Stability as a Metric for Balance Impairment in Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease of the nervous system. This potentially debilitating disorder often results in a general degradation of motor function. In particular, MS patients have been shown to exhibit altered balance dynamics while standing [1]. This altered balance is characterized by a large amount of postural sway [1]. Increased postural sway has also been observed in the mediallateral direction during walking, even in patients with very mild MS [2].