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Comprehensive Understanding of Inactivity-Induced Gait Alteration in Rodents
Published on: July 6, 2022
Gait parameters, functional performance and physical activity in active and inactive Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
Heather K Vincent1, Sharareh Sharififar1, Bishoy Abdelmalik1
1Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Florida, PO Box 112730, Gainesville, FL 32607, United States.
Insights
Children with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) show impaired gait and physical function compared to healthy peers. These functional differences may serve as biomarkers for disease severity and treatment response in JIA.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Rheumatology
- Biomechanics
Background:
- Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) affects children, potentially altering their movement and physical activity participation based on disease state.
- Understanding differences in gait and physical function between active JIA, inactive JIA, and healthy children is crucial for effective management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify specific gait and physical function performance differences in children with active or inactive JIA compared to healthy controls.
- To explore potential functional biomarkers for assessing JIA burden and treatment efficacy.
Main Methods:
- Utilized 3D motion analysis and instrumented treadmill force measures to capture gait mechanics in 43 children (14.5 ± 4.2 years).
- Assessed physical function through the 30-second Chair Rise Test and stair ascent-descent tests.
- Pain was evaluated using the Wong-Baker face scale post-testing.
Main Results:
- Children with active and inactive JIA exhibited slower walking speeds (12-21%) and stair navigation times (28-34%), with fewer chair rises (28%) compared to controls.
- Children with active JIA showed slower gait speeds (8-13%), reduced chair rises (4%), and slower stair navigation (14-16%).
- Active JIA was associated with altered hip joint motion, increased leg stiffness, and greater interlimb asymmetry during gait, alongside lower self-reported duration of athletic activity.
Conclusions:
- Gait speed, load-bearing tasks, and leg stiffness may serve as functional biomarkers for JIA assessment and treatment monitoring.
- Further prospective studies are needed to track changes in these features with pain, quality of life, and physical activity participation.
Background:
Children with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) may adopt different movement patterns and participate in physical activity during different states of disease.
Research Question:
Which specific features of gait and physical function performance differ among children with active or inactive JIA compared to healthy children?
Methods:
Forty-three children participated (14.5 ± 4.2 yrs; 60 % female). 3D-motion analysis methods were coupled with force measures from an instrumented treadmill captured gait mechanical measures. The 30-second Chair Rise Test (repetitions) and stair ascent-descent tests were performed, and the 11-point Wong-Baker face scale assessed pain after each test.
Results:
Compared to healthy controls children with active and inactive JIA had worse outcomes (12-21 % slower self-selected and fast walking speeds, 28-34 % slower stair navigation times, 28 % fewer chair rise repetitions in 30 s; all p < .05). Children with active JIA had 8-13 % slower gait speeds, 4 % fewer chair rise repetitions and 14-16 % slower stair navigation times. At faster walking speed, children with active JIA had less hip joint flexion/extension excursion in the sagittal plane during the gait cycle, produced higher leg stiffness, and demonstrated greater interlimb asymmetry in GRF vertical impulse during loading than healthy children (all p < .05). The Pedi-FABS subscore of "Duration: performing athletic activity for as long as you would like without stopping" was rated lower in children with active JIA compared to controls (p < .05).
Conclusion:
Gait speed, specific load-bearing functional tasks and leg stiffness features of gait may be informative 'functional biomarkers' for assessing JIA burden and tracking treatment efficacy. Additional prospective studies are needed to determine how these features change over time with pain change, and understand impact on quality of life and physical activity participation.
