Assessing the gait kinematics of people with multiple sclerosis

The effects of multiple sclerosis (MS) on the central nervous system often manifest as abnormalities in gait kinematics. Clinically practical, valid, and reliable measures of gait kinematics are necessary to address research questions about these abnormalities. Consequently, this study examined the feasibility of measuring gait kinematics of people with MS (PWMS) using two such measures: wireless flexible electrogoniometry (EG) and the GAITRite walkway system. Six PWMS and six controls without MS walked at a self-selected comfortable speed. Angle at initial contact and total joint excursion at both the knee and ankle were measured by EG. Speed, cadence, step length, stride length, stance duration and double support duration were measured by GAITRite. PWMS showed significantly reduced speed, cadence, and ankle excursion and increased stance and double support duration as previously shown with 3D motion analysis. Spasticity and/or instability may lead to these kinematic gait abnormalities in PWMS. As well, reduced velocity may be a cause or effect of any of the other observed gait abnormalities. Further research about the determinants of gait dysfunction in PWMS is required. EG and GAITRite are clinically practical, valid and reliable measures of gait kinematics and should be included in further clinic-based research to determine which kinematic gait abnormalities are causes and which are effects of the observed decrease in gait speed in PWMS. Acknowledgments: This research was supported by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council and Canada Research Chair Student Funds.