Gait and Balance Measures Can Identify Change From a Cerebrospinal Fluid Tap Test in Idiopathic Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus

Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2018 Nov;99(11):2244-2250. doi: 10.1016/j.apmr.2018.03.018. Epub 2018 Apr 25.

Abstract

Objectives: To identify in patients with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) undergoing a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) tap test (TT) for consideration of a ventricular peritoneal (VP) shunt: (1) gait and balance measures, which identify symptom change; (2) differences present between pre- and post-CSF TT scores between patients classified as responders and nonresponder; (3) ability of patients with iNPH to accurately quantify change in their gait and balance symptoms from a CSF TT.

Design: Prospective observational study. Post-CSF TT assessment was completed 2-4 hours post.

Setting: Tertiary referral neurological and neurosurgical hospital.

Participants: Patients (N=74) with iNPH receiving a 30 mL CSF TT for consideration of a VP shunt.

Interventions: Patients underwent a battery of gait and balance measures pre- and post-CSF TT and indicated their perceived change on a global rating of change (GRC). Patients deemed to improve and offered VP shunt insertion by a neurologist or neurosurgeon were labeled responders.

Main outcome measures: Performance oriented mobility assessment (Tinetti), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), timed Up and Go (TUG), 10-meter walk test (10MWT), GRC.

Results: Forty patients were classified responders, 34 nonresponders. Significant differences were identified for responders: Tinetti (3.88 points), TUG (3.98 seconds), 10MWT (0.08 m/sec), and BBS (5.29 points). Significant differences were found for nonresponders for the Tinetti (0.91 points) and BBS (2.06 points). Change scores for responders and nonresponders were significantly different for all tests between responders and nonresponders. GRC scores for gait (+2 for responders, 0 for nonresponders) and balance (+2.5 for responders, 0 for nonresponders) were both significantly different.

Conclusions: The Tinetti, BBS, and TUG can identify change in patients undergoing a CSF TT for iNPH. Patients appear to be able to accurately identify if change has occurred.

Keywords: Hydrocephalus; Normal pressure; Physical therapists; Rehabilitation.

Publication types

  • Observational Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Cerebrospinal Fluid Shunts
  • Disability Evaluation
  • Female
  • Gait Analysis / methods
  • Gait Analysis / statistics & numerical data*
  • Gait Disorders, Neurologic / diagnosis*
  • Gait Disorders, Neurologic / etiology
  • Gait Disorders, Neurologic / surgery
  • Humans
  • Hydrocephalus, Normal Pressure / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Hydrocephalus, Normal Pressure / complications
  • Hydrocephalus, Normal Pressure / physiopathology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Patient Selection*
  • Postural Balance
  • Prospective Studies
  • Spinal Puncture / methods*
  • Walk Test / methods
  • Walk Test / statistics & numerical data