Article

People with multiple sclerosis (MS) identify mobility limitations as one of the
greatest challenges of this disease. Continued loss of mobility and falls are
among their greatest concerns for the future. Our objective was to determine if
fear of falling is associated with spatial and temporal gait parameters in
persons with MS, when measured by an instrumented treadmill. This observational
case control study was performed at the MS Center, Center of Advanced
Technologies in Rehabilitation, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel.
Sixty-eight relapsing-remitting patients diagnosed with MS, 38 women, aged 40.9
(S.D. = 11.9), participated in this investigation. Twenty-five healthy subjects,
14 women, aged 39.5 (S.D. = 9.4) served as controls gait controls. Gait
spatiotemporal parameters were obtained using the Zebris FDM-T Treadmill
(Zebris((R)) Medical GmbH, Germany). The Falls Efficacy Scale International was
used to assess the level of concern relating to falls. Forty-one people with MS
were classified as highly fearful of falling. Twenty-seven patients were slightly
concerned. Highly fearful of falling patients walked slower had a shorter step
length, a wider base of support and prolonged double support phase compared to
slightly concerned patients. Fearful patients also demonstrated elevated
variability of the center of pressure (CoP) trajectory compared to slightly
concerned MS patients. Fear of falling and spatiotemporal gait alterations in
people with MS are linked. Additionally, variability of the CoP during walking
appears to be connected with the level of concern.
CI - Copyright (c) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS