Feasibility of a targeted strengthening program to improve gait in people with multiple sclerosis: a brief report

This study aims to determine feasibility of strengthening muscles that are important contributors to gait for people with multiple sclerosis, yet are not routinely targeted in the literature. An 8-week strengthening intervention targeted ankle plantarflexion, hip abduction, and trunk muscles using a repeated-measures design. Outcomes included satisfaction, adherence, muscle strength, gait speed (timed 25-foot walk), gait endurance (6-min walk test), and self-reported gait-related participation (Multiple Sclerosis Walking Scale-12). Ten participants (Expanded Disability Status Scale: 3.5-5.5) completed the intervention. All participants were at least 'satisfied'; adherence was 87% (supervised sessions) and 75% (home sessions). All quantitative measures improved: muscle strength (23.1-47.6%, P<0.001-0.039), timed 25-foot walk (-13.4%, P<0.001), 6-min walk test (41.56 m, P=0.019), and Multiple Sclerosis Walking Scale-12 (-10.5, P=0.007). Strengthening of ankle plantarflexion, hip abduction, and trunk muscles was feasible and associated with improvements in gait performance.