Highlights
- •Bilateral coordination of gait was assessed at self-selected and fast speeds in MS.
- •Accuracy, variability & bilateral coordination of gait were enhanced at fast speed.
- •Stride frequency, stance and swing durations are related to disease severity.
- •Bilateral coordination of gait was moderately related to disease severity and age.
ABSTRACT
Background
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is characterized by progressive demyelinating deterioration
of nervous tissues in the brain and cord, leading to a disruption in the ability of
parts of the nervous system to transmit signals. Although dorsal column pathways are
compromised in neuropathological studies, gait control assessments, especially on
speed effects, have been understudied in MS.
Objective
This study aimed to compare bilateral coordination of gait in subjects with MS at
self-selected and fast speed and to relate these findings to disease severity (Expanded
Disability Status Scale (EDSS)) and age.
Methods
An age-matched and sex-matched case-control study was performed to assess the bilateral
coordination of gait of 26 MS subjects by evaluating the gait spatiotemporal parameters
captured by an inertial measurement unit sensor. The bilateral variability, accuracy,
and overall coordination (the sum of variability and accuracy) were assessed at a
self-selected and fast speed, and correlated with disease severity and age.
Results
All gait control parameters improved at the fast speed compared to the self-selected
walking speed (p<0.05 for all comparisons). The bilateral coordination of gait was
moderately related to disease severity and age (p<0.05), and the gait spatiotemporal
parameters were related to disease severity (p<0.001, from R=0.66 to R=0.70).
Conclusion
Patients with MS showed significant impairment in the bilateral coordination of gait
at self-selected compared to fast speed. Functional mobility tests and locomotor interventions
should be cautious when analyzed at different paces. Interventions aiming to increase
speed can be a proper and safe strategy in locomotor studies.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: July 04, 2022
Accepted:
July 3,
2022
Received in revised form:
June 6,
2022
Received:
April 29,
2022
Identification
Copyright
© 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
