[Quantitative indices of gait in patients with psychogenic and organic dysbasia]

The study aimed at comparison of quantitative indices of gait in patients with hysteria and organic dysbasia. Two groups of patients were studied - 28 patients with psychogenic dysbasia and 22 with organic gait disturbances (cerebellar ataxia in multiple sclerosis and post stroke hemiparesis). A control group included 10 healthy subjects. Space and temporal gait characteristics were investigated using an impregnation method (footprint), i.e. analysis of gait parameters by footprints. Step width (base) and length, step frequency and gait speed were assessed. All parameters were recorded both at normal speed and accelerated gait. At accelerated gait, changes of step base (SB) were in different directions: in patients with hysteria and controls SB decreased and in patients with organic dysbasia increased. SB index (ratio of SB at accelerated gait to that at normal speed) was <1 in 82% of patients with psychogenic dysbasia and 90% controls and >1 in 91% of patients with organic gait disturbances. Maximal differences were found between subgroups with psychogenic and organic ataxia and less marked differences - in paresis.