Continuous In-Home Symptom and Mobility Measures for Individuals With Multiple Sclerosis: A Case Presentation

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Rehabilitation Science
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Gait impairment is a primary disabling symptom in multiple sclerosis (MS).
• Identifying reliable gait outcome measures is crucial for interventional studies in individuals with MS.
• Understanding how gait parameters vary with disability level is essential.

Observation:

• A case study examined gait parameters in three individuals with MS.
• Stride time, stride length, gait velocity, and daily symptoms were primary outcome measures.
• Gait characteristics were evaluated in relation to pain, fatigue, and time of day.

Findings:

• Stride length and gait velocity decreased with increased pain and fatigue.
• Step time increased later in the day, while step length remained consistent.
• Stride length and velocity demonstrated associations with fatigue, pain, and diurnal variations.

Implications:

• Stride length and gait velocity are sensitive measures for assessing MS-related gait changes.
• Temporal factors, such as time of day, significantly impact gait parameters in MS.
• These findings necessitate careful consideration of gait parameter temporality in future MS research and clinical trials.