Differences in temporal gait parameters between multiple sclerosis and healthy people

Abstract

Multiple sclerosis (MS) causes severe gait problems and there are limited studies to quantitatively identify the specific gait parameters that are affected. The aim of the current study was to characterize the temporal gait parameters in MS patients and ascribe them to clinical variables, in order to enable target-oriented management. A total of 14 MS patients and 11 healthy controls (CO) were evaluated clinically by expanded disability status scale (EDSS) and quantitatively by the Timed 25 Foot Walk (T25FW) using non-invasive wireless inertial sensors. The self-selected walking velocity was used as a covariate in the analysis to ensure that group differences were not due to differences in walking velocity between the MS and CO groups. Reduced step time and cadence were seen in patients with MS. We also found significant correlations between biomechanical gait parameters and EDSS score, which provides a clinical rating of disease severity. Temporal gait variability noted as associated to slower walk in MS.