Spinal Alignment, Spinal Mobility, and Balance in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis

Relationship Between Spinal Alignment, Spinal Mobility, and Balance in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease of the central nervous system characterized by demyelination and axonal degeneration. Neuromuscular impairments associated with MS, including muscle weakness, spasticity, fatigue, and proprioceptive deficits, may lead to alterations in spinal posture and reduced spinal mobility. These changes can negatively affect trunk control, balance, respiratory function, and functional independence.

Although postural abnormalities and mobility limitations have been reported in individuals with MS, the relationship between spinal posture, spinal mobility, and balance remains insufficiently investigated. Therefore, this study aims to examine the associations between spinal posture, spinal mobility, and balance performance in individuals with multiple sclerosis. Improved understanding of these relationships may contribute to the development of targeted rehabilitation interventions aimed at enhancing postural control and functional outcomes in this population. This study further hypothesises that alterations in spinal posture and spinal mobility are associated with impaired balance performance in individuals with multiple sclerosis.

Study Overview

• Status: Recruiting
• Conditions: Multiple Sclerosis; Balance

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Estimated): 30

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Turkey (Türkiye)
  • Çubuk
    • Ankara, Çubuk, Turkey (Türkiye), 06760
      • Recruiting
      • Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt University
      • Contact: Yasemin Ateş Sarı; Phone Number: 05397799535; Email: yaseminates48@gmail.com

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

• Sampling Method: Probability Sample

Study Population

Neurologist-confirmed diagnosis of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS)

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Diagnosis of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS)
• Aged between 18 and 65 years
• EDSS score between 0.5 and 4.5
• Standardized Mini-Mental State Examination score ≥24

Exclusion Criteria:

• Receipt of corticosteroid treatment within the previous 4 weeks
• Presence of any additional neurological disorder
• Spasticity defined as a Modified Ashworth Scale score ≥3
• History of surgical intervention involving the lower extremities, spine, or abdominal region

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Number of groups / cohorts

1

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
Multiple Sclerosis

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Spinal alignment	Spinal alignment was assessed in the sagittal and frontal planes during neutral standing, maximal trunk flexion, and maximal trunk extension. All spinal alignment parameters were recorded as angular values and expressed in degrees (°).	1 hour
Spinal mobility	Spinal mobility was assessed in both the sagittal and frontal planes. In the sagittal plane, mobility was calculated as the angular difference between the neutral standing posture and maximal trunk flexion and extension positions. In the frontal plane, lateral flexion mobility was calculated as the angular difference between the neutral standing posture and maximal right and left lateral flexion positions. All measurements were recorded in degrees (°).	1 hour

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Single-Leg Stance	Single-leg stance time was recorded in seconds, with shorter durations indicating poorer balance performance.	1 hour
Time Up and Go	Dynamic balance was assessed using the Timed Up and Go test. Performance was recorded as the time required to complete the task (seconds), with longer times indicating poorer dynamic balance.	1 hour

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Ankara Yildirim Beyazıt University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): February 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): June 12, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): June 30, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: June 10, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: June 10, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): June 15, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): June 15, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: June 10, 2026
• Last Verified: June 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Nervous System Diseases; Autoimmune Diseases; Immune System Diseases; Demyelinating Autoimmune Diseases, CNS; Autoimmune Diseases of the Nervous System; Demyelinating Diseases; Multiple Sclerosis
• Other Study ID Numbers: 08/1456

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No