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Updated: Jan 24, 2026
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The Multiple Sclerosis Performance Test MSPT: An iPad-Based Disability Assessment Tool
Published on: June 30, 2014
58.7K
Altered visual and somatosensory feedback affects gait stability in persons with multiple sclerosis
Jordan J Craig1, Adam P Bruetsch2, Sharon G Lynch3
1Landon Center on Aging, University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Blvd., Mail Stop 1005, Kansas City, KS 66160, United States; Bioengineering Graduate Program, University of Kansas, 3135A Learned Hall, 1530 W 15(th) St, Lawrence, KS 66045, United States.
Human Movement Science
|June 1, 2019
Summary
People with multiple sclerosis adapt gait stability similarly to healthy individuals when sensory information is altered. However, those who fall may rely more on visual input for balance.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Biomechanics
- Human Movement Science
Background:
- Persons with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) experience sensory loss affecting gait stability.
- Difficulty reweighting sensory information impacts walking under challenging conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate gait stability adaptations in PwMS and healthy adults under altered visual and somatosensory conditions.
- To determine how manipulating vision and foot somatosensation affects gait stability.
Main Methods:
- 25 healthy adults and 40 PwMS walked under normal, altered vision, and altered somatosensation conditions.
- Inertial measurement units recorded lumbar and ankle acceleration; variability measures (RMS, SaEn, LyE) were calculated.
- A gait stability index (GSI) was derived from lumbar and foot acceleration variability ratios.
Main Results:
- Gait stability index increased significantly in the altered somatosensory condition for RMS and LyE measures.
- Frontal GSI_SaEn was higher in the altered visual condition compared to the altered somatosensory condition.
- Healthy controls, MS non-fallers, and MS fallers demonstrated similar adaptation patterns to sensory manipulation.
Conclusions:
- PwMS, including fallers and non-fallers, generally adapt gait stability similarly to healthy individuals when sensory feedback is altered.
- MS fallers might exhibit a greater reliance on visual feedback for maintaining gait stability compared to non-fallers and healthy controls.
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