Testing Dynamic Balance in People with Multiple Sclerosis: A Correlational Study between Standard Posturography and Robotic-Assistive Device

Background: Robotic devices are known to provide pivotal parameters to assess motor functions in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) as dynamic balance. However, there is still a lack of validation studies comparing innovative technologies with standard solutions. Thus, this study's aim was to compare the postural assessment of fifty people with MS (PwMS) during dynamic tasks performed with the gold standard EquiTest (R) and the robotic platform hunova (R), using Center of Pressure (COP)-related parameters and global balance indexes. Methods: Pearson's rho correlations were run for each COP-related measure and the global balance index was computed from EquiTest (R) and hunova (R) in both open (EO) and closed-eyes (EC) conditions. Results: Considering COP-related parameters, all correlations were significant in both EO (0.337 <= rho <= 0.653) and EC (0.344 <= rho <= 0.668). Furthermore, Pearson's analysis of global balance indexes revealed relatively strong for visual and vestibular, and strong for somatosensory system associations (rho = 0.573; rho = 0.494; rho = 0.710, respectively). Conclusions: Findings confirm the use of hunova (R) as a valid device for dynamic balance assessment in MS, suggesting that such a robotic platform could allow for a more sensitive assessment of balance over time, and thus a better evaluation of the effectiveness of personalized treatment, thereby improving evidence-based clinical practice.