Motor Control Alterations and the Perception of Postural Instability in non-Fallers Latinx-Hispanic Adults Living with HIV

Abstract

People who have advanced HIV can display inadequate postural control because of the virus affecting the brain. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) mitigates some repercussions of the disease, maintaining a healthy immune system. The issue is that prolonged usage of ART may affect balance at a slower pace. Purpose: Assess postural control and balance perception in Latinx-Hispanic people living with HIV with a stable immune system. Methods: 42 (30 men and 12women) subjects took part in the investigation (57.2± 8.7 years old). Participants had to be diagnosed with HIV to enroll in the study with a CD4 count of > 500 cells/µL. The eight balance tasks (15 s each) were accomplished on a thick balance foam mat and further partitioned into two parts, four single and four dual cognitive tasks (subjects counting backward three numbers at a time). Results: We measured balance using body-worn accelerometers (ACC) and the ABC scale. There was a considerable increase in sway movements within the different tasks, χ2 (8) = 194.314, p = 0.00. This increment in postural movements was observed when single and dual tasks were contrasted for EO (Z=-2.169, p=005) and EOHUD (Z=-2.344, p 0.05). Related to the ABC scale, subjects scored lower, notably in tasks involving more balance demands. Conclusion: HIV-diagnosed individuals with a stable immune system exhibit increased postural alteration and perceive balance difficulties with activities requiring higher motor control demands. Clinicians should assess the balance in people living with HIV in all stages of the disease as a prevention tool.