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Gait Patterns in Patients with Hereditary Spastic Paraparesis
Mariano Serrao1,2, Martina Rinaldi3, Alberto Ranavolo4
1Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, University of Rome Sapienza, Latina, Italy.
Plos One
|October 13, 2016
Summary
Hereditary spastic paraparesis patients exhibit three distinct gait patterns linked to disease severity. Identifying these gait patterns can help personalize treatments and track progress in patients with spastic gait.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Biomechanics
- Clinical Medicine
Background:
- Spastic gait is a hallmark of hereditary spastic paraparesis (HSP).
- Previous research has not fully characterized HSP gait patterns or their clinical correlations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To delineate distinct gait patterns in HSP patients.
- To identify patient subgroups based on specific walking kinematic features.
Main Methods:
- Computerized gait analysis of 50 HSP patients and healthy controls.
- Evaluation of time-distance parameters, joint range of motion (hip, knee, ankle), and trunk/pelvis motion.
- Assessment of lower limb joint moments and muscle co-activation.
Main Results:
- Three distinct gait subgroups were identified based on range of motion.
- Subgroup 1: Reduced hip, knee, ankle motion; most severe clinically, highest spasticity, slowest speed.
- Subgroup 3: Increased hip motion, normal knee/ankle motion; mildest clinically, fastest speed.
- Subgroup 2: Reduced knee/ankle motion, normal hip motion; intermediate severity and speed.
Conclusions:
- Identified three unique gait patterns in HSP patients correlating with clinical data.
- These gait patterns offer insights for tailoring treatments and evaluating therapeutic efficacy.
