Abstract
Background
Different walking capacity test formats are applied, but their impact on the gait
pattern in persons with MS (pwMS) has not yet been investigated according to baseline
velocity performance.
Objective
To assess, in pwMS with different ambulation dysfunction, the impact of speed instructions
and previous walking tests (2 and 6 min walking test; 2MWT and 6MWT) on spatiotemporal gait parameters.
Methods
27 participants, divided in three groups based on usual gait speed (Most Limited Community
Walkers; MLCW<0.82 m/s, CW>1.14 m/s, LCW show intermediate values), completed the 2MWT and 6MWT. Before and after
each test, they walked on the GAITRite walkway system at both usual and fastest speed.
Spatio-temporal gait parameters were measured and analyzed with ANOVA.
Results
All gait parameters in the MLCW were significantly different from other groups. In
contrast to the MLCW, the LCW and CW subgroups showed greater velocity in the fastest
compared to usual speed condition, associated with a significant increase in cadence
and step length. After the 6MWT, small changes in cadence at usual speed and step
time at fastest speed were observed in the MLCW subgroup only. No impact of the 2MWT
on gait parameters was found in any group.
Conclusions
The ability to accelerate was dependent on the severity of ambulatory dysfunction.
Prolonged walking during the 6MWT has, in contrast to the 2MWT, some impact on gait
parameters in the most disabled group only.
Highlights
- The gait pattern differed in persons with MS depending on ambulation group.
- A slow walking subgroup showed difficulty to walk faster when instructed.
- A modest impact of walking history is observed in slow walkers only.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: February 25, 2013
Accepted:
January 24,
2013
Received in revised form:
January 8,
2013
Received:
December 2,
2012
Identification
Copyright
© 2013 Elsevier B.V. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
