Investigating balance in Joint Hypermobility Syndrome
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Investigating dynamic stability and postural balance in patients with Joint Hypermobility (Ehlers Danlos Syndrome).
IRAS ID
155091
Contact name
Helen Cohen
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital
Research summary
This study aims to further the understanding of dynamic (balance during walking) and static balance (standing balance in) in individual with joint hypermobility syndrome (JHS). There is wide spectrum of symptoms in patients with JHS with mobility and balance being affected to different extents. Interaction with patient in clinics suggest that JHS has an adverse effect on quality of life, limiting mobility and functionality during activities of daily living.
This study aims to investigate the relationship between standing balance (also known as postural stability), balance during walking (dynamic stability) and fear of falls and quality of life. Our research intends to further the knowledge of dynamic stability in JHS patients to enable us to inform rehabilitation programs aimed at improving dynamic stability and preventing falls.
we are also investigating balance during simple functional activities, such as reaching and during simple cognitive activities such as counting backwards from 100. This will provide information on cognitive effort and its effects on walking for patients with joint hypermobility. Before measuring balance , we will ask the patients how they think their balance is affected by these tasks and see if and how their subjective opinion correlates with the measured responses. Although postural stability has been measured in this patient cohurt on a number of occasions there is much less information available on balance during walking or during functional activities.REC name
London - Fulham Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/LO/0766
Date of REC Opinion
27 May 2014
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion