Neurological Sciences

, Volume 39, Issue 1, pp 71–77 | Cite as

3-Hz postural tremor in multiple system atrophy cerebellar type (MSA-C)—a static posturography study

  • Xiaodi Li
  • Yuzhou Wang
  • Zhanhang Wang
  • Yan Xu
  • Wenhua Zheng
Original Article
First Online:
Received:
Accepted:

Abstract

The objective of the study is to evaluate postural dysfunction of multiple system atrophy-parkinsonian type (MSA-P) and cerebellar type (MSA-C) by static posturography exam. A total of 29 MSA-P patients, 40 MSA-C patients, and 23 healthy controls (HC) were recruited and engaged in a sensory organization test (SOT). The amplitude of the postural sway was measured and transformed into energy value by Fourier analyzer. SOT scores, frequency of falls and typical 3-Hz postural tremors during the four stance tasks, and energy value in three different frequency bands were recorded and compared. Compared with HC, SOT scores were significantly lower in MSA groups (P < 0.01). Compared with MSA-P, the vestibular scores were further reduced in MSA-C patients (P < 0.05). Falls were more frequent in MSA groups, especially in SOT4 task (foam surface with eyes closed) or in MSA-C group (P < 0.05). Typical 3-Hz postural tremor was observed in 97.5% MSA-C patients, in 24.1% MSA-P patients but in none of the HC (P < 0.05). Compared with HC, much more energy was consumed in every task, every direction, and nearly every frequency band in MSA groups. Energy value of MSA-C group was significantly higher than that of MSA-P, especially in higher frequency band (2 ~ 20 Hz) or in more difficult stance tasks (SOT 3 ~ 4, foam surface with eyes open or closed) (P < 0.05). Both MSA-P and MSA-C were characterized by severe static postural dysfunction. However, typical 3-Hz postural tremor was predominant in MSA-C and was very useful in the differential diagnosis between MSA-P and MSA-C.

Keywords

Multiple system atrophy Posturography Postural tremor 
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Notes

Acknowledgements

None declared by the authors.

Compliance with ethical standards

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Ethical approval

This study was approved by the ethics committee of Guangdong 999 Brain Hospital.

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Copyright information

© Springer-Verlag Italia S.r.l. 2017

Authors and Affiliations

  1. 1.Department of NeurologyGuangdong 999 Brain HospitalGuangzhouChina
  2. 2.Department of NeurorehabilitationGuangdong 999 Brain HospitalGuangzhouChina

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