Accelerometry reveals differences in gait variability between patients with multiple sclerosis and healthy controls.

Area of Science:

• Biomechanics
• Neurology
• Gait Analysis

Background:

• Movement variability is crucial for system health and signals motor control issues in pathological populations.
• Persons with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) often experience significant gait disturbances, including altered gait variability.
• Previous research primarily examined footfall variability, necessitating investigation into other aspects of gait variability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate trunk acceleration pattern variability in PwMS during walking.
• To compare gait variability measures between PwMS and healthy controls using trunk-mounted accelerometers.

Main Methods:

• Utilized accelerometers placed on the upper and lower trunk to capture trunk movement data.
• Analyzed 30-second steady-state walking trials from 15 PwMS and 15 age-matched healthy controls.
• Extracted linear and nonlinear measures of gait variability, including Lyapunov exponent and frequency dispersion.

Main Results:

• PwMS showed significantly greater Lyapunov exponents in both mediolateral (ML) and anteroposterior (AP) directions (p < 0.001).
• Increased frequency dispersion in the ML direction (p = 0.034) was observed in PwMS.
• PwMS exhibited greater mean velocity in the ML direction (p = 0.045) and lower root mean square of acceleration in the AP direction (p = 0.040).

Conclusions:

• The structure of trunk movement variability during gait is significantly altered in PwMS compared to healthy controls.
• Findings support previous research indicating gait variability changes in PwMS.
• Trunk-based variability analysis provides valuable insights into motor control strategies in PwMS.