Article

Gait and balance deficits are a frequent complaint in MS but poorly captured by
stopwatch-timed tests or rating scales. Body-worn accelerometers and gyroscopes
are able to detect gait and balance abnormalities in people with MS who have
normal walking speeds. Few longitudinal studies exist using this technology to
study the evolution of mobility deficits.
The purpose of this study was to
determine if body-worn sensors detected any decline in gait and balance measures
in people with MS over time. Twenty-seven people with MS (13 mildly disabled,
self-rated expanded disability status scale 0-3.5; 14 moderately disabled,
SR-EDSS 4.0-5.5) who had normal walking speeds and 18 matched control subjects
underwent gait and balance testing using body-worn sensors every 6 months for 18
months. While no parameter worsened over time, the moderately disabled MS cohort
performed more poorly than the mildly disabled MS cohort who, in turn, was worse
than control subjects for both objective and subjective walking and balance
measures. Furthermore, the moderately disabled MS cohort demonstrated greater
variation in between-visit performance than did the less disabled MS cohort or
controls (Bonferroni-corrected p<0.05). Variability may be a key indicator of
worsening gait and balance disability in MS.
CI - Published by Elsevier B.V.

Langue : ANGLAIS