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Survey study, 2020

Does menstrual cycle affect balance and position sense in women with multiple sclerosis?

In the early follicular phase, pain was linked to how well women could sense their knee position. The study was very small and had no comparison group, so results are uncertain.

Early or limited evidence 14 women with multiple sclerosis who had regular menstrual cycles

What they did

14 women with multiple sclerosis were tested during different phases of their menstrual cycle. Researchers measured how well they could sense their knee position, their balance, and how they walked while doing another task.

What they found

In the early follicular phase, pain correlated with how well women could sense their right knee position. When pain combined with activity, it correlated with both knee position sense and how well women performed the walking task.

What it means for you

Menstrual cycle and pain may affect how the body senses position and balance in women with MS. However, the study was very small, included only women with MS, and had no comparison to women without MS.

14

women with multiple sclerosis

3

menstrual phases tested

About the study

Original title
The relationship of pain, anxiety, and fatigue with knee position sense, balance, and dual task performance during menstrual cycle in females with multiple sclerosis
Authors
Ateş Y, Ünlüer NÖ
Journal
Somatosensory & motor research
Year
2020
Study design
Survey study
Participants
14
What was tested
None

Topics