Quantitative parameters of gait imbalance in multiple sclerosis patients

The purpose is to identify objective quantitative parameters for a more accurate evaluation of gait imbalance and relate it to Body Mass Index and age.

25 multiple sclerosis (MS) and 30 healthy people (CG) aged between 22 and 66 years old (50.4 ± 9.5) were examined in static and dynamic tasks. The demographic data were as follows: body mass (72.4 ± 18.4 kg in CG vs. 66.8 ± 11.5 kg in MS); body height (1.78 ± 0.15 m in CG vs. 1.70 ± 0.11 m in MS); BMI (24.7 ± 4.5 kg/m2 in CG vs. 23.5 ± 3.0 kg/m2 in MS). First, all individuals remained static for baropodometric, pulse and saturation evaluation. Later on, a 6-minute walk and timed up and go tests were performed and additionally included quantitative measurements by barometry and pulse oximeter.

The dynamic condition revealed meaningful differences in the foot surface and hindfoot loading, in addition to foot max. loading between study groups. TUG disclosed significantly different results between groups in time and the number of steps. For MS in statics, the moderate positive correlations between BMI and the right forefoot and right hindfoot, and in MS statics, the correlation of the age vs. maximal left foot loading, forefoot loading and hindfoot loading was observed. In the dynamic, the age and plantar angle of the foot had weak relation.

Quantitative parameters defining balance deviations of MS are related to BMI and age in statics and dynamics, therefore should be taken into account during MS imbalance assessment.