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Examining the Relationship Between Reactive Stepping Outcomes and Falls in People With Multiple Sclerosis
Andrew S Monaghan1, Avril Mansfield2,3,4, Jessie M Huisinga5
1College of Health Solutions, Arizona State University, Phoenix, Arizona, USA.
Physical Therapy
|April 11, 2022
Summary
People with multiple sclerosis (MS) and a history of falls often have delayed backward reactive step latencies. This finding suggests that targeting step latency could be crucial for fall prevention strategies in MS rehabilitation.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Rehabilitation Science
- Biomechanics
Background:
- Reactive stepping is essential for preventing falls.
- Impaired reactive stepping is common in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS).
- Understanding the specific aspects of stepping related to falls is crucial for developing effective fall prevention strategies in MS.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between reactive step latency and length during forward and backward balance loss and a history of falls in PwMS.
Main Methods:
- 111 PwMS participated, categorized by fall history (0 falls vs. 1+ falls).
- Participants performed treadmill-induced reactive steps (3 forward, 3 backward).
- Motion capture was used to measure step latency (ms) and step length (cm).
Main Results:
- PwMS with a fall history exhibited significantly slower step latencies during backward stepping compared to those without falls.
- Step length did not differ between fall history groups.
- Slower backward step latencies were associated with a significantly increased odds of having a fall history (OR = 2.479).
Conclusions:
- PwMS with a history of falls demonstrate delayed step onsets during backward reactive stepping.
- A 10-millisecond increase in backward step latency corresponded to a 2.5 times higher likelihood of a fall history.
- Backward reactive step latency emerges as a potentially relevant target for future rehabilitation interventions aimed at fall prevention in PwMS.
