Article

This study aimed to (i) compare the gait characteristics of people with Multiple
Sclerosis (pwMS) to those of healthy controls walking at the same average speed,
and (ii) assess the effects of the acute application of Functional Electrical
Stimulation (FES) to the dorsiflexors. Twenty-two people with pwMS (mean age 49
years), prescribed FES, and 11 age matched healthy controls participated. Three
dimensional gait kinematics were assessed whilst (i) pwMS and healthy controls
walked at self-selected speeds (SSWS), (ii) healthy controls also walked at the
average walking speed of the pwMS group, and (iii) people with MS walked using
FES. Compared to healthy controls walking at their SSWS, pwMS walked slower and
showed differences in nearly all gait characteristics (p<0.001). Compared to
healthy controls walking at the same average speed, pwMS still exhibited
significantly shorter stride length (p=0.007), reduced dorsiflexion at initial
contact (p=0.002), reduced plantar flexion at terminal stance (p=0.008) and
reduced knee flexion in swing (p=0.002). However, no significant differences were
seen between groups in double support duration (p=0.617), or hip range of motion
(p=0.291). Acute application of FES resulted in a shift towards more normal gait
characteristics, except for plantar flexion at terminal stance which decreased.
In conclusion, compared to healthy controls, pwMS exhibit impairment of several
characteristics that appear to be independent of the slower walking speed of
pwMS. The acute application of FES improved most impaired gait kinematics. A
speed matched control group is warranted in future studies of gait kinematics of
pwMS.
CI - Copyright (c) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS