Cognition is associated with gait variability in individuals with multiple sclerosis

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Clinical Neurology
• Rehabilitation Science

Background:

• Gait variability is linked to cognitive function in various patient groups.
• Limited data exist on the relationship between gait variability and cognitive function in multiple sclerosis (MS).

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between cognitive processing speed and gait variability in individuals with MS.
• To determine if cognitive function predicts gait variability in MS patients.

Main Methods:

• Secondary analysis of data from 191 individuals with MS.
• Cognitive processing speed assessed using the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT).
• Gait variability measured by step length and step time coefficient of variation (CV), analyzed using hierarchical linear regressions.

Main Results:

• SDMT scores significantly predicted step time CV (p < 0.001) and step length CV (p = 0.03) after adjusting for covariates.
• Slower cognitive processing speed correlated with greater gait variability (step length and step time).

Conclusions:

• Cognitive processing speed is a significant predictor of gait variability in MS.
• Neural damage in MS may impair both cognitive processing speed and gait control.
• This study reinforces the interconnectedness of motor and cognitive functions in MS.