Article

This investigation examined spatiotemporal parameters of gait during the 6-min
walk (6MW) in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) and in healthy controls.
Eighteen individuals with MS [divided into those who were independently
ambulatory (n=10) and those who were ambulatory with assistance (n=8)] and 10
healthy controls performed a 6MW while recording spatiotemporal gait parameters
using a pressure-sensitive walkway. Parameters recorded were walking velocity,
cadence, step length and width, step time, percent of the gait cycle in double
support, and variability of step length and width, step time, and double support.
The ambulatory with assistance MS group had a significantly greater reduction in
walking velocity (P=0.000) over the course of the 6MW, which coincided with a
significantly greater increase in step time and double support (P=0.029) than in
the other groups. Only the ambulatory with assistance MS group showed an increase
in step-time variability and double-support variability during the 6MW
(P's<0.05). The novel results indicate that the reduction in velocity over
prolonged walking occurs through a greater change in the temporal parameters of
gait in persons with MS who require assistance while walking. In addition, the
increase in gait variability in the individuals with MS who require assistance
while walking indicates that the control over walking further deteriorates over
the course of the 6MW.

Langue : ANGLAIS