A comparative study of gait pattern characteristics between individuals with multiple sclerosis and healthy individuals during anticipatory postural adjustment and gait initiation: A scoping review

Individuals diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) are known to face more challenging situations, such as gait initiation (GI), compared to healthy individuals. This provides a deeper insight into the mechanisms that govern dynamic postural control. A search was conducted across several databases, including PubMed, Cochrane, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, Scopus, ProQuest, and Google Scholar. Studies of any design were included if they satisfied the following criteria: the experimental group consisted of individuals with MS or clinically isolated syndrome, the control group included healthy individuals or MS patients, and the studies examined gait patterns across various parameters, such as the center of pressure (COP), center of mass, and anticipatory postural adjustments, while also assessing the gait initiation phase. Utilizing the modified Downs and Black checklist, nine articles were selected for the final analysis. The results indicated deceleration, a reduction in posterior COP displacement, and an increase in COP during anterior GI. Compared with healthy controls, individuals with MS exhibited greater instability during balance recovery and in kinetic parameters of the stance limb. Furthermore, a delay and reduction in muscle activity were noted in individuals with MS who had a history of falls, in contrast to non-falling MS patients and healthy individuals.