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Updated: Mar 25, 2026
Motor Dual-Tasks for Gait Analysis and Evaluation in Post-Stroke Patients
Published on: March 11, 2021
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.
Introduction:
Peripheral demyelinating neuropathies impair gait and increase fall risk, particularly under cognitively demanding conditions. While gait disturbances in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) and Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 1A (CMT1A) are well documented, their differential responses to cognitive dual-tasking remain poorly understood.
Methods:
In this prospective study, 62 patients (31 CIDP, 31 CMT1A) performed 10-m barefoot walking trials under three conditions: natural walking, low dual-task (answering factual questions), and high dual-task (introspective questions about illness impact). Gait parameters, including speed, stride length, stride time, foot and heel clearance, were measured using a motion capture system. Group, condition, and interaction effects were analyzed using linear mixed-effects models.
Results:
Both groups showed significant reductions in gait speed and stride length under dual-task conditions. Compared to CMT1A, CIDP patients exhibited more pronounced slowing and increased stride time, especially during high dual-tasking. Heel clearance decreased significantly in CIDP, with a group × condition interaction, while CMT1A patients maintained more stable gait patterns. Foot clearance at peak swing declined in both groups without intergroup differences.
Discussion:
These results suggest that CIDP patients adopt a more cautious gait under cognitive load, reflecting reduced automatism and adaptability. In contrast, CMT1A patients appear to benefit from long-term compensatory strategies developed over the disease course. Moreover, the CIDP patients decreased their heel clearance during dual-task, increasing the fall risk.
Conclusion:
Dual-task gait analysis reveals distinct adaptations in hereditary and acquired neuropathies. Parameters such as heel clearance and stride time may serve as functional markers to guide diagnosis and rehabilitation.
