Static balance control assessment for double and single leg stance in leprosy: an approach using inertial sensors from smartphones

Aim

To evaluate balance control in individuals with leprosy across different postural conditions and to investigate the feasibility of smartphone-based inertial sensors as an accessible tool for assessing postural stability in this population.

Methods

Fifty-seven participants were included, comprising 35 controls and 22 individuals with leprosy. Multiple stability features were extracted from the accelerometer time series recorded in each case.

Results

Under eyes-open conditions, neither bipedal nor unipedal stance tasks showed significant differences between groups, despite the increased postural demand of the unipedal condition. However, during a bipedal stance with eyes closed, individuals with leprosy demonstrated significantly greater postural instability, as reflected by higher amplitude and frequency-domain measures.

Conclusions

Contrary to our initial hypothesis, reducing the base of support through unipedal stance did not enhance group discrimination. Instead, the absence of visual input proved more sensitive, suggesting that visual compensation may mask proprioceptive deficits even under mechanically challenging conditions.