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Mobility Deviations in Adults With Human Immunodeficiency Virus: A Cross-Sectional Assessment Using Gait Analysis,
Karina Berner1, Arnaud Gouelle2,3, Hans Strijdom4
1Division of Physiotherapy, Department of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa.
Open Forum Infectious Diseases
|September 24, 2021
Summary
People with HIV (PWH) exhibit slower, more variable walking patterns and altered hip/knee movement, particularly when multitasking. The five-times sit-to-stand test can help identify these gait deviations in PWH.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical science
- Human physiology
- Movement science
Background:
- Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) impact on walking biomechanics is poorly understood.
- Associations between HIV-related gait deviations, functional performance, and self-reported outcomes require investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze gait biomechanics and variability in people with HIV (PWH).
- To examine associations between gait deviations, clinical tests, and self-reported outcomes in PWH.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study comparing 50 PWH and 50 HIV-seronegative participants (SNP).
- 3D gait analysis, clinical performance tests (walking, balance, chair-rise), and functional questionnaires.
- Statistical analysis included ANCOVA for group comparisons and correlation for associations.
Main Results:
- PWH walked slower and with greater variability than SNP.
- PWH showed slower five-times sit-to-stand (5STS) performance.
- Deviations in hip and knee kinematics were observed in PWH during dual-task walking.
- 5STS performance correlated with gait variability, self-reported function, and fear of falling.
Conclusions:
- PWH demonstrate biomechanical gait deviations, characterized by slowed and variable walking, especially under cognitive load.
- The 5STS test is a potential screening tool for identifying gait deviations in PWH.
