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Kinematic Gait Analysis in People with Mild-Disability Multiple Sclerosis Using Statistical Parametric Mapping: A
Diego Fernández-Vázquez1,2, Gabriela Calvo-Malón3, Francisco Molina-Rueda1,2
1Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, Rey Juan Carlos University, 28922 Madrid, Spain.
Abstract:
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system. Gait abnormalities, such as altered joint kinematics, are common in people with MS (pwMS). Traditional clinical gait assessments may not detect subtle kinematic alterations, but advances in motion capture technology and analysis methods, such as statistical parametric mapping (SPM), offer more detailed assessments. The aim of this study was to compare the lower-limb joint kinematics during gait between pwMS and healthy controls using SPM analysis. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving pwMS and healthy controls. A three-dimensional motion capture system was used to obtain the kinematic parameters of the more affected lower limb (MALL) and less affected lower limb (LALL), which were compared using the SPM analysis. Results: The study included 10 pwMS with mild disability (EDSS ≤ 3) and 10 healthy controls. The results showed no differences in spatiotemporal parameters. However, significant differences were observed in the kinematics of the lower-limb joints using SPM. In pwMS, compared to healthy controls, there was a higher anterior pelvis tilt (MALL, p = 0.047), reduced pelvis elevation (MALL, p = 0.024; LALL, p = 0.044), reduced pelvis descent (MALL, p = 0.033; LALL, p = 0.022), reduced hip extension during pre-swing (MALL, p = 0.049), increased hip flexion during terminal swing (MALL, p = 0.046), reduced knee flexion (MALL, p = 0.04; LALL, p < 0.001), and reduced range of motion in ankle plantarflexion (MALL, p = 0.048). Conclusions: pwMS with mild disability exhibit specific kinematic abnormalities during gait. SPM analysis can detect alterations in the kinematic parameters of gait in pwMS with mild disability.
Insights
People with multiple sclerosis (MS) show distinct gait kinematic changes, including altered pelvis and lower limb joint movements. Statistical parametric mapping (SPM) effectively detects these subtle abnormalities in individuals with mild MS disability.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Biomechanics
- Rehabilitation Science
Background:
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease impacting the central nervous system.
- Gait abnormalities are prevalent in people with MS (pwMS), often manifesting as altered joint kinematics.
- Traditional gait assessments may miss subtle kinematic changes detectable with advanced motion analysis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare lower-limb joint kinematics during gait between pwMS and healthy controls.
- To utilize statistical parametric mapping (SPM) for detailed kinematic analysis.
- To identify specific gait alterations in pwMS using advanced motion capture.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 10 pwMS (mild disability) and 10 healthy controls.
- Three-dimensional motion capture recorded lower-limb joint kinematics.
- Statistical parametric mapping (SPM) analyzed kinematic differences between groups for the more affected lower limb (MALL) and less affected lower limb (LALL).
Main Results:
- No significant differences in spatiotemporal gait parameters were found.
- SPM revealed significant kinematic differences in pwMS compared to controls.
- Observed abnormalities included altered pelvis tilt and elevation, reduced hip extension and knee flexion, and decreased ankle plantarflexion range of motion.
Conclusions:
- People with MS and mild disability exhibit specific lower-limb kinematic gait abnormalities.
- SPM analysis is a sensitive method for detecting subtle gait kinematic alterations in pwMS.
- These findings highlight the utility of advanced motion analysis in understanding MS-related gait dysfunction.
