Static postural balance and manual dexterity are sex-dependent among a sample of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patients.

Background: Sex differences in physical, psycho-cognitive and sleep disorders, neuropathic pain and perceived fatigue related to multiple sclerosis (MS) have been studied, but contradictory findings were found. MS studies regarding difference between men and women in postural balance are very scarce and based on subjective assessments. We aimed to investigate the sex difference effects on postural balance and other physical measures among a sample of MS patients.

Methods: Data from 8 men and 12 women with MS were compared. The assessed parameters were: static and dynamic postural balance (force platform), manual dexterity (Nine Hole Peg Test (NHPT)), leg muscle strength (Five-Repetition Sit-To-Stand Test), functional mobility (Timed up and Go Test), walking speed (Timed 25-Foot Walk Test), fall risk (Four Square Step Test), cognitive functions (Montreal cognitive assessment (MOCA) and React software), neuropathic pain (Neuropathic Pain Questionnaire 4 (DN4)), perceived fatigue (Hooper index), mood (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), and sleep quality (Spiegel's questionnaire).

Results: The center of pressure mean velocity was higher in women than in men in the static condition with eyes closed (p = 0.041, Hedges'g (g) = 0.71). Women showed lower MoCA scores (p = 0.028, g = 1.06) as well as higher NHPT duration (p = 0.002, g = 1.64) (in the dominant hand) and DN4 scores (p = 0.003, g = 1.59) than men. No significant sex differences were found for the remaining parameters.

Conclusion: Based on this study among a sample of MS patients, women showed poorer static postural balance and manual dexterity than men probably due to their higher neuropathic pain and cognitive decline. These sex differences should be considered when organizing therapeutic training programs for this population.