This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Benedetti, M G Articles by Giannini, S Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Benedetti, M G Articles by Giannini, S Social Bookmarking                         What's this?

Gait abnormalities in minimally impaired multiple sclerosis patients

Movement Analysis Laboratory, Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy

R Piperno

Neuro-Rehabilitation Unit, Ospedale Maggiore `C: A: Pizzardi', Bologna, Italy

L Simoncini

Movement Analysis Laboratory, Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy

P Bonato

Dipartimento di Elettronica, Politecnico di Torino, Torino, Italy

A Tonini

Neuro-Rehabilitation Unit, Ospedale Maggiore `C: A: Pizzardi', Bologna, Italy

S Giannini

Movement Analysis Laboratory, Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy

Subclinical evidence of gait abnormalities were identified in a group of seven patients with Multiple Sclerosis, EDSS scored 0-2, without functional limitations. A movement analysis technique was used to identify gait parameters indicative of impaired motor function during walking. Abnormalities related primarily to time-distance parameters (reduced speed of progression, shorter strides, prolonged double support phase) and muscular function (premature recruitment of gastrocnemius and late relaxation of tibialis anterior during stance phase) were identified regardless the severity of the clinical score. The gait analysis procedure was able to provide the clinician with evidence of motor abnormalities prior to functional disturbance observable by a trained physician. These minimal dysfunctions may have resulted from reflex mechanisms impaired by delayed transmission through long loop pathways or else as a result of a nonspecific protective gait strategy to improve balance control. The technique described in this study may be useful to identify earlier starting points for follow-up and physiotherapy.

Key Words: multiple sclerosis • gait abnormalities • movement analysis • surface electromyography

Multiple Sclerosis, Vol. 5, No. 5, 363-368 (1999)
DOI: 10.1177/135245859900500510


CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

				A. C. Lo and E. W. Triche Improving Gait in Multiple Sclerosis Using Robot-Assisted, Body Weight Supported Treadmill Training Neurorehabil Neural Repair, November 1, 2008; 22(6): 661 - 671. [Abstract] [PDF]

				S J Crenshaw, T D Royer, J G Richards, and D J Hudson Gait variability in people with multiple sclerosis Multiple Sclerosis, September 1, 2006; 12(5): 613 - 619. [Abstract] [PDF]

				C L Martin, B A Phillips, T J Kilpatrick, H Butzkueven, N Tubridy, E McDonald, and M P Galea Gait and balance impairment in early multiple sclerosis in the absence of clinical disability Multiple Sclerosis, September 1, 2006; 12(5): 620 - 628. [Abstract] [PDF]

				G M Ramdharry, J F Marsden, B L Day, and A J Thompson De-stabilizing and training effects of foot orthoses in multiple sclerosis Multiple Sclerosis, April 1, 2006; 12(2): 219 - 226. [Abstract] [PDF]

				Y. Baram and A. Miller Virtual reality cues for improvement of gait in patients with multiple sclerosis Neurology, January 24, 2006; 66(2): 178 - 181. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. M. Zackowski, P. Dubey, G. V. Raymond, S. Mori, A. J. Bastian, and H. W. Moser Sensorimotor Function and Axonal Integrity in Adrenomyeloneuropathy Arch Neurol, January 1, 2006; 63(1): 74 - 80. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				P Thoumie, D Lamotte, S Cantalloube, M Faucher, and G Amarenco Motor determinants of gait in 100 ambulatory patients with multiple sclerosis Multiple Sclerosis, August 1, 2005; 11(4): 485 - 491. [Abstract] [PDF]

				A. Romberg, A. Virtanen, J. Ruutiainen, S. Aunola, S.-L. Karppi, M. Vaara, J. Surakka, T. Pohjolainen, and A. Seppanen Effects of a 6-month exercise program on patients with multiple sclerosis: A randomized study Neurology, December 14, 2004; 63(11): 2034 - 2038. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M E Morris, C Cantwell, L Vowels, and K Dodd Changes in gait and fatigue from morning to afternoon in people with multiple sclerosis J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatry, March 1, 2002; 72(3): 361 - 365. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]