Complexity based measures of postural stability provide novel evidence of functional decline in fragile X premutation carriers.
Clodagh O'Keeffe, Laura P Taboada, Niamh Feerick and 3 others
PMID 31299981WHAT IT FOUND
In young female premutation carriers, standard balance measures showed no difference from controls.
Complexity analysis suggested lower sway adaptability during a working memory task, but this did not reach significance. A strong link between genetic repeat length and sway complexity was observed.
Key findings
01Classical sway parameters (path length, area, velocity) showed no differences between carriers and controls during quiet stance or dual-tasks.
02Complexity indices did not significantly differ between groups, though carriers showed a non-significant trend toward lower complexity during the N-back task.
03Among carriers, mediolateral sway complexity during the N-back task strongly inversely correlated with CGG repeat length.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTsWhat it means for SLPs
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What it does not show
Very small sample size (12 carriers, 15 controls), reducing statistical power. The primary finding of interest (lower complexity in carriers during N-back) was not statistically significant (p = .089). The groups differed significantly in age (carriers older), which could confound results. Data from only 10 carriers were available for the N-back task due to recording errors. Cross-sectional design; cannot determine if these measures predict future decline.
Declared interests
Funded by the Irish Research Council. No other conflicts declared.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that complexity measures reliably distinguish carriers from controls or that they are ready for clinical use. The key group difference during the N-back task was not statistically significant, and the study was underpowered.