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Advanced Neurology                                                     Neuropathy-reduced balance and gait




                                                               Table 2. Results of discriminant function analysis
                                                               Variables                 Correlation coefficients with
                                                                                        linear discriminant function 1
                                                               Vavg                                  0.816*
                                                               6MWD                                  0.498*
                                                               TUG                                −0.459*
                                                               SDAP                             −0.192
                                                               Notes: Wilks’s lambda=0.635; P=0.086; *denotes significant
                                                               contributors.
                                                               Abbreviations: 6MWD: 6-min walk distance; SD : Standard deviation
                                                                                              AP
                                                               of the center of pressure movement in the anterior-posterior direction;
                                                               TUG: Timed-up-and-go; V  Average velocity of the center of pressure
                                                                                 avg:
                                                               movement.
                                                               Table 3. Linear relationship between functional gait and
            Figure 2. Graphical representation of the separation between the groups   postural variables and foot sole sensitivity and H‑index
            based on their centroid location. The discriminant analysis revealed
            discriminant functions (functions 1 and 2) where the greatest separation   Variables  Group  Foot sole sensitivity  H‑index
            between the least affected and severely affected was observed for linear
            discriminant function 1, whereas minute separation was observed for   R  95% CI    R     95% CI
            linear discrimination function 2.                  6MWD    LA    0.860*  0.737, 0.927  0.523*  0.229, 0.729
            Abbreviation: MA: Moderately affected.                     MA     0.044  −0.294, 0.372 −0.535* −0.737, −0.245
            were observed for LA and SA (d = 0.888) for TUG, LA and    SA    −0.569* −0.758, −0.290 −0.012  −0.344, 0.323
            SA (d = 1.291), and MA and SA (d = 0.803) for V . These   TUG  LA  −0.588* −0.770, −0.316 −0.716* −0.502, −0.847
                                                   avg
            results highlight the significant sensitivity and conduction   MA  0.364*  0.036, 0.622  0.381*  0.055, 0.634
            differences within each group, which, in turn, contribute to   SA  0.274  −0.065, 0.556  0.243  −0.098, 0.533
            notable differences in both postural control and functional   SD  LA  0.498*  0.198, 0.713  0.116  −0.226, 0.433
            gait.                                                AP    MA    −0.131  −0.444, 0.212  −0.100  −0.419, 0.242
            3.4. Differential symptom-outcome relationship for         SA     0.199  −0.143, 0.499  0.242  −0.099, 0.532
            different groups                                   VAVG    LA    −0.326  −0.595, 0.007  0.000  −0.333, 0.333
            The relationship between foot sole sensitivity, H-index,   MA    0.466*  0.158, 0.692  −0.622* −0.791, −0.364,
            and the dependent variables across all three groups is     SA     0.069  −0.271, 0.393  0.412*  0.091, 0.655
            presented in Figures 4 and 5. A correlation was deemed   Note: * Indicates that the correlation coefficient is significantly different
            significant if the 95% CI did not include zero (Table 3).   from zero.
            The list of significant correlations with foot sole sensitivity   Abbreviations: 6MWD: 6-min walk distance; LA: less affected group;
                                                               MA: Moderately affected group; SA: Severely affected; SD : Standard
                                                                                                    AP
            include group  LA and SA: 6MWD; group  LA and MA:   deviation of the center of pressure movement in the anterior-posterior
            TUG; group  LA: SD ; and group  MA: V . Significant   direction; TUG: Timed-up-and-go; V : Average velocity of the center
                                                                                       avg
                                               avg
                             AP
            correlations with H-index were noted for group LA and   of pressure movement; CI: Confidence interval.
            MA: 6MWD; group  LA and MA: TUG; and group  MA     control and functional gait. The results indicated that these
            and SA: V . Notably, trends indicating improved gait and   clinical symptoms affected postural control and functional
                    avg
            posture with enhanced foot sole sensitivity were observed   gait differently. Individuals classified as SA demonstrated
            solely within the LA group, where significant group   significant differences, primarily in V  compared to
            interactions were detected. Conversely, trends suggesting   LA individuals. However, functional gait variables were
                                                                                                avg
            improved gait and posture with improved conduction   secondary contributors to distinguishing between the
            velocity were observed solely within the SA group, with   groups. In addition, it was found that clinical and outcome
            significant group interactions also detected.      measures  depended on  the  severity  of  the disease. An
            4. Discussion                                      increase in pathology negatively affected functional gait
                                                               for LA, and these relationships were only consistently
            The purpose of this study was to assess the differential   significant in this group. However, inconsistent trends
            effects of clinical symptoms of PN, namely, reduced foot   were observed, with only one clinical measure significantly
            sole sensitivity and nerve conduction velocity, on postural   affecting one outcome measure. For example, H-index


            Volume 3 Issue 2 (2024)                         5                                doi: 10.36922/an.2900
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