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Gait Parameters Alterations Under Dual-Task Conditions in Patients With Acquired and Hereditary Peripheral
Loïc Dupont1, Romain Thomas2, Loïc Danjoux2
1Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, UMR-S1172 - LilNCog - Lille Neuroscience & Cognition, Lille, France.
European Journal of Neurology
|March 24, 2026
Summary
Patients with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) show greater gait instability and fall risk under cognitive load compared to Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 1A (CMT1A). This highlights distinct dual-task gait adaptations in acquired versus hereditary neuropathies.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Gait Analysis
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Peripheral demyelinating neuropathies like CIDP and CMT1A significantly impact gait and increase fall risk, especially during cognitive tasks.
- Understanding how these conditions differentially affect gait under dual-task conditions is crucial for targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate and compare the gait responses of patients with CIDP and CMT1A under varying cognitive dual-tasking conditions.
- To identify specific gait parameters that differentiate these neuropathies during cognitive challenges.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study involving 62 patients (31 CIDP, 31 CMT1A) performing 10-m barefoot walking trials.
- Gait parameters (speed, stride length, foot/heel clearance) were measured using motion capture under natural, low, and high dual-task conditions.
- Linear mixed-effects models were used to analyze group, condition, and interaction effects.
Main Results:
- Both CIDP and CMT1A patients exhibited reduced gait speed and stride length under dual-tasking.
- CIDP patients showed more significant gait slowing and increased stride time, particularly with high cognitive load, and decreased heel clearance.
- CMT1A patients maintained more stable gait patterns, suggesting effective long-term compensatory strategies.
Conclusions:
- CIDP patients adopt a more cautious gait under cognitive load, indicating reduced automaticity and adaptability, and increased fall risk due to decreased heel clearance.
- CMT1A patients' stable gait suggests adaptation over the disease course.
- Dual-task gait analysis offers valuable insights into differentiating hereditary and acquired neuropathies and can inform diagnosis and rehabilitation strategies.
