Comparison of Static Balance Control in Infected Htlv-1 Subjects with Different Tsp/Ham Diagnosis.
Kelly Helorany Alves CostaPatrícia Seixas Alves SantosGizele Cristina da Silva AlmeidaAndrew Sousa CairesBeatriz Helena Baldez VasconcelosRamon Costa LimaMariangela Moreno DominguesMaria da Conceição Nascimento PinheiroRita Catarina Medeiros SousaAnselmo De Athayde Costa E SilvaGivago da Silva SouzaBianca CallegariPublished in: Viruses (2022)
(1) Background: Tropical spastic paraparesis (TSP/HAM) associated with the T cell lymphotropic virus in type I humans (HTLV-1) is a slow, chronic, and progressive disease that causes balance changes. TSP/HAM diagnosis can be classified as probable, possible, and definite. We compared the static balance control of HTLV-1-infected patients with different TSP/HAM diagnosis. (2) Methods: Our sample consisted of 13 participants infected with HTLV-1 and 16 healthy participants. The center of pressure was recorded using a force platform with open and closed eyes. We divided the recordings into three intervals, period T1 (corresponds to the first 10 s); period T2 (from 10 to 45 s); period T3 (from 45 to 55 s). (3) Results: Eight participants infected with HTLV-1 were classified as probable TSP/HAM and five participants infected with HTLV-1 were classified as definite TSP/HAM. There was a significant increase in postural instability in patients with definite PET/MAH considering the structural and global variables of body sway compared to the control and the probable TSP/HAM. (4) Conclusions: We concluded that the severity of balance is directly related to the degree of signs and symptoms of TSP/HAM.