Viruses (Oct 2022)

Comparison of Static Balance Control in Infected Htlv-1 Subjects with Different Tsp/Ham Diagnosis

  • Kelly Helorany Alves Costa,
  • Patrícia Seixas Alves Santos,
  • Gizele Cristina da Silva Almeida,
  • Andrew Sousa Caires,
  • Beatriz Helena Baldez Vasconcelos,
  • Ramon Costa Lima,
  • Mariangela Moreno Domingues,
  • Maria da Conceição Nascimento Pinheiro,
  • Rita Catarina Medeiros Sousa,
  • Anselmo de Athayde Costa e Silva,
  • Givago Silva Souza,
  • Bianca Callegari

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/v14112334
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 14, no. 11
p. 2334

Abstract

Read online

(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.

Keywords