Gait analysis in anorexia and bulimia nervosa

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Biomechanics
• Clinical Psychology

Background:

• Eating disorders like anorexia nervosa (AN) and bulimia nervosa (BN) are associated with reduced motor capacities, including balance deficits.
• Comprehensive investigation into other motor disorders in AN and BN is lacking.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantitatively assess gait patterns in individuals with AN and BN.
• To identify differences in gait compared to healthy controls.
• To gather data for developing evidence-based rehabilitation strategies.

Main Methods:

• Quantitative 3D computerized gait analysis was performed on 19 AN patients and 20 BN patients.
• Gait data were compared to a control group (CG) of healthy individuals.
• Spatio-temporal parameters, kinematics, and kinetics were analyzed.

Main Results:

• AN and BN patients displayed altered gait strategies compared to CG, including shorter step length (most pronounced in AN) and slower walking speed (AN < BN, CG).
• Kinematic analysis revealed non-physiologic patterns at the pelvis and hip in both AN and BN groups, with BN showing more significant abnormalities.
• Both groups exhibited high ankle plantar flexion capacity at toe-off and decreased ankle stiffness, with AN showing lower values.

Conclusions:

• Anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa are associated with significantly altered gait patterns compared to healthy individuals.
• Biomechanical gait differences are primarily observed at the pelvis and hip.
• Musculoskeletal adaptations, potentially due to lean mass loss, likely contribute to gait pattern alterations in AN and BN.