Contributions
Abstract: P564
Type: Poster
Abstract Category: Pathology and pathogenesis of MS - Neurophysiology
Gait impairment represents one of the most common and disabling symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS). Spatial and temporal parameters of the gait cycle of patients with MS (PwMS) can be altered, with lower walking speed, shorter steps and an increased coefficient of variability. There is a lack of data concerning gait cycle at the early stages of the disease.
The main goal of this study was to investigate early, subclinical? modifications of the gait cycle among PwMS.
Methods: 33 PwMS, with disease duration above 5 years and an Expanded Disability Status Scale < 2 for pyramidal, sensory, and cerebellar sub-scores were compared to 29 healthy controls (HC). They had no complaint of walking difficulty. Temporal parameters of the gait cycle were recorded through electronic foot switches, in different conditions: « Normal Pace» (NP), « Brisk Pace» (BP), and under dual task conditions : Word List Generation at Normal Pace (WLGN), Word List Generation at Brisk Pace (WLGB) and Serial Subtraction at Normal Pace (SSN).
Results: CoV of the Step and Stride time were higher among PwMS compared to HC: the difference was significant in every condition for the CoV Step time (p < 0,01; < 0,0001; 0,02; < 0,01 and < 0,0001; respectively for NP, BP, WLGN, SSN and WLGB), but only for the BP (p< 0,01), SSN (p=0,036) and WLGB (p=0,002) conditions for the CoV Stride time. Conversely, no difference was found when confronting mean values of the Step Time and the Stride Time. Walking speed was similar between both groups, as well as the amplitude of the double task effect on gait parameters.
Interpretation and conclusion: This study is the first to identify a high variability of the Step Time and Stride Time among a homogenous population of PwMS without reported walking impairment and an EDSS score < 2. High temporal variability of the gait cycle could be an early indicator of future walking impairment. This hypothesis will be addressed on long-term follow.
Disclosure:
AL Dubessy: nothing to disclose
B. Bodini: nothing to disclose
D. Garcia: nothing to disclose
E. Lepage: nothing to disclose
R Assouad: nothing to disclose
ML Welter: nothing to disclose
G. Edan: nothing to disclose
C Lubetzki: nothing to disclose
R. Depaz: nothing to disclose
Abstract: P564
Type: Poster
Abstract Category: Pathology and pathogenesis of MS - Neurophysiology
Gait impairment represents one of the most common and disabling symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS). Spatial and temporal parameters of the gait cycle of patients with MS (PwMS) can be altered, with lower walking speed, shorter steps and an increased coefficient of variability. There is a lack of data concerning gait cycle at the early stages of the disease.
The main goal of this study was to investigate early, subclinical? modifications of the gait cycle among PwMS.
Methods: 33 PwMS, with disease duration above 5 years and an Expanded Disability Status Scale < 2 for pyramidal, sensory, and cerebellar sub-scores were compared to 29 healthy controls (HC). They had no complaint of walking difficulty. Temporal parameters of the gait cycle were recorded through electronic foot switches, in different conditions: « Normal Pace» (NP), « Brisk Pace» (BP), and under dual task conditions : Word List Generation at Normal Pace (WLGN), Word List Generation at Brisk Pace (WLGB) and Serial Subtraction at Normal Pace (SSN).
Results: CoV of the Step and Stride time were higher among PwMS compared to HC: the difference was significant in every condition for the CoV Step time (p < 0,01; < 0,0001; 0,02; < 0,01 and < 0,0001; respectively for NP, BP, WLGN, SSN and WLGB), but only for the BP (p< 0,01), SSN (p=0,036) and WLGB (p=0,002) conditions for the CoV Stride time. Conversely, no difference was found when confronting mean values of the Step Time and the Stride Time. Walking speed was similar between both groups, as well as the amplitude of the double task effect on gait parameters.
Interpretation and conclusion: This study is the first to identify a high variability of the Step Time and Stride Time among a homogenous population of PwMS without reported walking impairment and an EDSS score < 2. High temporal variability of the gait cycle could be an early indicator of future walking impairment. This hypothesis will be addressed on long-term follow.
Disclosure:
AL Dubessy: nothing to disclose
B. Bodini: nothing to disclose
D. Garcia: nothing to disclose
E. Lepage: nothing to disclose
R Assouad: nothing to disclose
ML Welter: nothing to disclose
G. Edan: nothing to disclose
C Lubetzki: nothing to disclose
R. Depaz: nothing to disclose