Preliminary effectiveness of a sequential exercise intervention on gait function in ambulant patients with multiple...

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Rehabilitation Science
• Biomechanics

Background:

• Patients with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) often experience impaired motor function and reduced walking performance.
• This decline may be linked to diminished ankle push-off power.
• Structured exercise interventions show potential for alleviating these symptoms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate ankle push-off power and walking performance in pwMS compared to healthy controls.
• To assess the preliminary effectiveness of a sequential exercise program (resistance training followed by walking endurance training) on these parameters in pwMS.

Main Methods:

• A pilot study involving 10 pwMS and 10 healthy controls (at baseline).
• 3D gait analysis during a 12-minute walking test to measure walking performance.
• Isometric muscle testing, cardiopulmonary exercise testing, and self-report measures were also employed.

Main Results:

• PwMS exhibited shorter 12-minute walking distances and lower peak ankle push-off power (most-affected leg) than controls.
• An 8-week resistance training program significantly enhanced walking distance in pwMS.
• Resistance training also led to increased peak and speed-normalized ankle push-off power in the less-affected leg.

Conclusions:

• Despite reduced ankle push-off power and self-reported walking issues, pwMS did not show walking-related motor fatigue during the 12-minute test.
• Preliminary findings suggest resistance training positively impacts walking performance in pwMS, potentially through enhanced ankle push-off power.
• The additional benefits of subsequent walking-specific endurance training remain uncertain.