Relationships between disease severity and walking kinematics in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Biomechanics
• Rehabilitation Science

Background:

• Walking impairments are common in multiple sclerosis (MS).
• Gait is a complex motor task requiring precise muscle coordination.
• Understanding gait changes is crucial for managing MS mobility.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify gait kinematics during a 2-minute walk test associated with disease severity in relapsing-remitting MS.
• To explore the relationship between specific gait characteristics and MS progression.

Main Methods:

• Forty-five individuals with relapsing-remitting MS participated.
• Inertial measurement units were used to capture gait data.
• Participants completed the 2-minute walk test at self-selected and fast speeds.

Main Results:

• Gait speed did not correlate with MS disease duration.
• Lateral step width variability and ankle pitch at toe-off were strongly associated with MS disease severity.
• Both self-selected and fast-speed gait kinematics correlated with disease duration.

Conclusions:

• Individual gait kinematics, particularly step width variability and ankle pitch, are important indicators of MS disease severity.
• This personalized approach can enhance mobility assessments and tailor interventions for MS.
• Further research into these kinematic parameters is recommended for targeted MS therapies.