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Lower-Limb Biomechanical Characteristics Associated with Unplanned Gait Termination Under Different Walking Speeds
Published on: August 25, 2020
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Unplanned gait termination in individuals with multiple sclerosis
Kathleen L Roeing1, Yaejin Moon1, Jacob J Sosnoff1
1Department of Kinesiology and Community Health, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, United States(1).
Gait & Posture
|February 8, 2017
Summary
Individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) take longer to stop walking when cognitive demands increase. Those using assistive devices showed more difficulty with gait termination compared to controls.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Biomechanics
Background:
- Gait impairment is common in multiple sclerosis (MS), yet gait termination control remains understudied.
- Understanding gait termination is crucial for mobility and fall prevention in MS patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate unplanned gait termination in individuals with MS compared to healthy controls.
- To assess the impact of cognitive distractors on gait termination in MS.
- To differentiate gait termination abilities based on assistive device use in MS.
Main Methods:
- Thirty-one individuals with MS (divided into assistive device users and non-users) and 14 healthy controls performed unplanned gait termination tasks.
- Tasks were conducted on a pressure-sensitive walkway under both distracting and non-distracting cognitive conditions.
- Gait velocity and stopping time were measured for all participants.
Main Results:
- Individuals with MS using assistive devices walked significantly slower than those without and controls.
- Cognitive distraction reduced gait velocity and increased stopping time for all participants.
- After adjusting for gait velocity, MS patients using assistive devices took longer to stop than controls.
Conclusions:
- Cognitive load significantly impacts gait termination in individuals with MS.
- Assistive device use in MS is associated with greater challenges in controlling gait termination, especially under cognitive load.
- Further research into gait termination mechanisms in MS is essential for developing targeted interventions.
