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Dual-task assessment in natalizumab-treated multiple sclerosis patients.
Gilles Allali1, Magali Laidet, Frédéric Assal
1Division of Neurology, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Geneva University Hospitals and University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.
European Neurology
|February 8, 2014
Summary
Dual-task gait analysis in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients treated with natalizumab showed significant improvements in walking speed and stride after one year. Single-task walking and cognitive tests did not change, highlighting dual-task gait as a sensitive measure.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS) impacts gait and cognition.
- Natalizumab is a disease-modifying therapy for MS.
- Dual-task gait analysis may reveal subtle treatment effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the 1-year changes in dual-task gait parameters in MS patients on natalizumab.
- To compare dual-task gait with single-task gait and neuropsychological assessments.
- To identify sensitive markers for treatment efficacy in MS.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study of 9 MS patients treated with natalizumab.
- Quantitative gait analysis during single-task and dual-task conditions (counting, fluency tasks).
- Neuropsychological assessments performed at baseline and 1-year follow-up.
Main Results:
- Significant improvements observed in dual-task gait parameters (walking speed, stride length, stride time) after 1 year of natalizumab treatment.
- No significant changes were found in single-task gait parameters or neuropsychological test results.
- Dual-task gait changes, particularly with executive-demanding cognitive tasks, showed treatment response.
Conclusions:
- Dual-task related gait changes are sensitive indicators of treatment response to natalizumab in MS.
- This method offers a valuable tool for monitoring disease-modifying therapy efficacy.
- Gait analysis under dual-task conditions may reflect improvements in cognitive-motor integration.
