Background: A lack of movement coordination characterized by the undershoot or overshoot of the intended location with the hand, arm, or leg is often found in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS). Standardized as Finger-to-Nose (FNT) and The Heel-to-Shin (HST) tests are the most frequently used tests for qualitative examination of upper and lower body coordination. Inertial sensors facilitate in performing quantitative motion analysis and by estimating body symmetry more accurately assess coordination lesion and imbalance.
Objectives: To assess the body symmetry of upper and lower limbs quantitatively, and to find the best body symmetry indices to discriminate MS from healthy individuals (CO).
Methods: 28 MS patients and 23 CO participated in the study. Spatiotemporal parameters obtained from six Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs) were placed on the upper and lower extremities during FNT and HST tests. All data were analyzed using statistical methods in MATLAB.
Results: Asymmetry indices of temporal parameters showed a significant increase in upper body and lower body asymmetry of MS compared to CO. However, CO have a greater kinematic asymmetry compared to MS.
Conclusion: Temporal parameters are the most sensitive to body asymmetry evaluation. However, range of motion is completely inappropriate if it is calculated for one movement cycle.
Keywords: Body symmetry; damaged limb asymmetry; inertial sensors; multiple sclerosis; symmetry index.