Postural Stability Is Affected in Older Males with Haemophilia—A Matched Control Study

Identifying performance-based outcome measures of physical function in people with haemophilia (IPOP)

INTRODUCTION

Recent recommendations of core outcome sets for haemophilia highlight the need for including measures of performance-based physical health and physical function sustainability. To date, there is no consensus on what outcomes might be of value to clinicians and patients.

AIM

To identify instruments of performance-based physical function to monitor musculoskeletal health in people with haemophilia that are practical in the clinical setting.

METHODS

Utilising components from the Activities and Participation Category of the WHO International Classification of Functioning (WHO-ICF), a consensus-based, decision analysis approach was used to: identify activities people with haemophilia have most difficulty performing; identify quantitative performance-based measures of identified activities via a scoping review; and obtain views on acceptability of the tests utilising a DELPHI approach.

RESULTS

Eleven activities were identified: maintaining a standing position, walking long distances, walking up and down stairs, walking on different surfaces, running, hopping, jumping, squatting, kneeling, undertaking a complex lower limb task, undertaking a complex upper limb task. Following a 2-round DELPHI survey of international physiotherapists, the 6-min walk test, timed up and down stairs, 30-s sit to stand, single leg stance, tandem stance, single hop for distance (children only) and timed up and go (adults only) reached consensus.

CONCLUSION

This study is the first step in defining a core set of performance-based instruments to monitor physical health and sustainability of physical function outcomes in people with haemophilia. Establishing the psychometric properties of the instruments and whether they are meaningful to people with haemophilia is essential.

Static postural balance evaluation and an investigation of the relationship with joint health in children with severe haemophilia: a controlled cross-sectional study

INTRODUCTION

Recurrent hemarthroses disturbing force/movement control are likely to impair postural balance.

AIM

To investigate the possible changes in static postural balance parameters in children with haemophilia (CwH) and to reveal its relationship with Haemophilia Joint Health Score (HJHS).

METHODS

Twenty-one CwH aged 6-18 who had haemophilic arthropathy in at least one lower limb joint and 21 healthy peers were evaluated by using a force platform. Centre of pressure (CoP) signals were displayed as a map in both anteroposterior direction (APD) and mediolateral direction (MLD) by statokinesigram. Accordingly, the amplitude, velocity and standard deviation of CoP displacements along with the perimeter and ellipse area were measured. Assessments were made under eyes opened and eyes closed in bipedal stance for 60 s. Joint health and muscle strength were evaluated with HJHS and digital dynamometer, respectively.

RESULTS

Velocity and amplitude of CoP displacements in MLD were increased in CwH (p˂0.05). It was also found that these parameters were moderate correlated with the clinical score of the lower limb joints (p˂0.05). In CwH, standard deviation of CoP displacements in the APD was significantly higher in eyes closed, while standard deviation in MLD was significantly higher in eyes opened (p˂0.05).

CONCLUSION

Disturbances during bipedal stance reveal the need for balance evaluation in CwH. Increased mediolateral oscillations may be an early sign of disorders of the musculoskeletal system in CwH. In addition to improving joint health, postural balance exercises that increase MLD stability have to be included in the rehabilitation programme of CwH.