Gait & posture最新文献

{"title":"Lower limb deformity and gait deviations of osteogenesis imperfecta","authors":"Yuanhao Liang ,&nbsp;Shichen Qi ,&nbsp;Tinghan Xu ,&nbsp;Lin Feng ,&nbsp;Eric Hiu Kwong Yeung ,&nbsp;Rong He ,&nbsp;Shijie Yin ,&nbsp;Zhou Yapeng ,&nbsp;Peikai Chen ,&nbsp;Michael Kai-Tsun To ,&nbsp;Yong Hu","doi":"10.1016/j.gaitpost.2025.03.023","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.gaitpost.2025.03.023","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Osteogenesis imperfecta is a rare genetic disorder characterized by complex lower limb deformities, resulting in various gait limitations. This study aimed to (1) investigate the incidence and association between radiographic changes and gait impairment; (2) propose a lower limb deformity index to quantify deformity severity as well as gait performance.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Bilateral X-ray images and 3D gait analysis results were assessed retrospectively from 48 patients with osteogenesis imperfecta. Multivariate linear regression was used to investigate the contribution of each deformity to gait performance. Eight scoring approaches of the proposed index, calculated from radiographic changes, were evaluated by their linear relationship to gait deviation.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Patients with osteogenesis imperfecta had high incidence of anterolateral bowing of femur, and anteromedial bowing of tibia, along with abducted hip, varus knee, hip flexion and ankle dorsiflexion deformities. Their maximum joint kinematics and kinetics were less than healthy controls, which was consistent with their major deformities. However, multivariate linear regression indicated a limited contribution from each deformity to gait deviation (only mechanical axis deviation out of 14 radiographic measures showed significance). Remarkably, our proposed index presented a significant linear correlation to gait deviation (Correlation coefficient: −0.650; R square: 0.423; F value: 33.719, p &lt; 0.001).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>This study preliminary demonstrated the association between lower limb deformities and gait deviations of patients with osteogenesis imperfecta and proposed a lower limb deformity index to quantify the deformity severity that reflects gait performance.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12496,"journal":{"name":"Gait & posture","volume":"119 ","pages":"Pages 229-237"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-03-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143725469","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Automated quantification of the anatomic accuracy of muscle paths and its application in an image-based subject-specific modeling workflow for adult spinal deformity","authors":"Birgitt Peeters ,&nbsp;Erica Beaucage-Gauvreau ,&nbsp;Lieven Moke ,&nbsp;Ilse Jonkers ,&nbsp;Friedl De Groote ,&nbsp;Lennart Scheys","doi":"10.1016/j.gaitpost.2025.03.007","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.gaitpost.2025.03.007","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Musculoskeletal models (MSKM) can non-invasively evaluate the effect of altered muscle geometry and physiology on locomotor function. Nevertheless, this requires anatomically accurate muscle paths throughout functional ranges of motion. However, reference data to evaluate such muscle paths is rarely available, including in adult spinal deformity (ASD). Although this degenerative disorder alters muscle geometry and physiology, these parameters are not available to inform clinical decision-making as generic MSKM cannot account for these alterations, and reliable ASD-specific modeling workflows do not currently exist.</div></div><div><h3>Research question</h3><div>Can an efficient workflow be developed for evaluating and optimizing the anatomic accuracy of dynamic muscle paths in personalized MSKM and applied for reliable spinal motion simulations in ASD?</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A workflow was developed to automatically analyze anatomic muscle accuracy throughout predefined ranges of motion in terms of muscle-bone penetration, muscle action, moment arm magnitude, and discontinuities. Erector spinae, multifidus, and psoas muscles were semi-automatically segmented in magnetic resonance images of one healthy and two ASD subjects. Next, their muscle representation, insertion sites, and complexity were iteratively refined with the above workflow to generate subject-specific MSKM and compare them against state-of-the-art generic MSKM.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>All muscles in the subject-specific MSKM were anatomically accurate, except for discontinuities in 3.81 % (psoas) and 0.37 % (multifidus) of moment arm curves across motions and subjects. In contrast, scaled generic MSKM were consistently associated with muscle-bone penetration, decreased moment arm magnitude, and opposite muscle actions.</div></div><div><h3>Significance</h3><div>This novel workflow is the first to allow for an efficient evaluation of the anatomic accuracy of dynamic muscle paths. Its application in MSKM of ASD patients resulted in subject-specific muscle paths, with an anatomically correct muscle geometry, while preventing bone penetration during the representative range of motions. The workflow is promising to enable biomechanical analyses of ASD with an accuracy beyond that of scaled generic models.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12496,"journal":{"name":"Gait & posture","volume":"119 ","pages":"Pages 238-245"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-03-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143737981","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Anterior distal femoral hemiepiphysiodesis for knee flexion contracture in paediatric patients with neuromuscular disorders: A systematic review and meta- analysis","authors":"Nicholas G. Tipping ,&nbsp;Ryan J. Campbell ,&nbsp;Jacqueline N. Khuong ,&nbsp;David L. Mostofi Zadeh Haghighi ,&nbsp;Christopher P. Carty ,&nbsp;Henry PJ Walsh","doi":"10.1016/j.gaitpost.2025.03.017","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.gaitpost.2025.03.017","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>This meta-analysis assesses the effectiveness of ADFH in the operative management of knee flexion contracture in children with neuromuscular disorders.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>The study included 218 patients and assessed 340 knees. Patients had a median age of 11 years (age range 4–17 years) at initial evaluation. The mean follow up time was 25 months.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Gait deviation index improved by 8.49 points following ADFH (95 % CI 4.82–12.15, p &lt; 0.01). Minimum flexion angle saw an overall improvement of 20.61 degrees (95 % CI 15.8 – 26.04, p &lt; 0.001). Knee flexion contracture had an overall improvement of 11.74 degrees across (95 % CI 10.14–13.33, p &lt; 0.001). Popliteal angle improved by 15.59 degrees overall following ADFH (95 % CI 7.57–23.60), p &lt; 0.01).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Orthopaedic operations are known to improve knee kinematics and clinical examination findings in neuromuscular disorder patients. ADFH is effective in improving passive and dynamic sagittal knee function.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12496,"journal":{"name":"Gait & posture","volume":"119 ","pages":"Pages 222-228"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-03-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143715745","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Learning to suppress a balance recovery step: Implications for improving behavioral flexibility in a balance recovery stepping task","authors":"David A.E. Bolton ,&nbsp;Anne Z. Beethe ,&nbsp;Sara A. Harper ,&nbsp;Robert Whelan ,&nbsp;Kathy L. Ruddy","doi":"10.1016/j.gaitpost.2025.03.019","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.gaitpost.2025.03.019","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3><em>Background</em></h3><div>Research shows compensatory balance responses can be improved with training. The present study is a coincidental finding from a registered report that provides insight into trainability of response inhibition in a balance recovery stepping task.</div></div><div><h3><em>Research question</em></h3><div>Can suppression of response inhibition in a rapid balance recovery step be improved with training?</div></div><div><h3><em>Methods</em></h3><div>Young, healthy participants (N = 20) were released from a supported, forward lean to prompt a rapid balance recovery step. In most trials, participants were instructed to recover balance by quickly stepping forward (i.e., GO trials). However, in 20 % of the trials, a high-pitch tone was randomly played immediately after postural perturbation, signaling participants to suppress a step and relax into a catch harness (i.e., STOP). This balance recovery task was repeated on two separate days. Force plates measured GO reaction time post-perturbation and stepping errors on STOP trials.</div></div><div><h3><em>Results</em></h3><div>Task performance improved on the second day of testing, including faster steps (321 ± 37 ms vs. 348 ± 40 ms; p &lt; 0.001) and more successful inhibition (46 ± 19% vs. 36 ± 19%; p = 0.005). Also, stop signal reaction time was faster on day two (286 ± 41 ms vs. 308 ± 46 ms; p = 0.041), suggesting the cognitive ability to suppress a highly prepotent action was directly influenced.</div></div><div><h3><em>Significance</em></h3><div>Our results build from past studies where balance reactions improve with practice and we now demonstrate that outright action cancellation within a balance recovery stepping task can be trained, suggesting behavioral flexibility can be improved without compromising response speed.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12496,"journal":{"name":"Gait & posture","volume":"119 ","pages":"Pages 215-221"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-03-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143705717","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A comparison of anticipatory processes between gait and step initiation: The role of the final state","authors":"Romain Bechet ,&nbsp;Romain Tisserand ,&nbsp;Laetitia Fradet ,&nbsp;Floren Colloud","doi":"10.1016/j.gaitpost.2025.03.018","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.gaitpost.2025.03.018","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Whole-body movement initiation with change of base of support is a common paradigm used to assess balance-movement coordination. During clinical evaluation, two transitions are commonly used: gait or step initiation. During their respective anticipatory periods, two mechanisms regulate the whole-body centre of mass acceleration: a shift in the centre of pressure (CoP); and modulation of internal whole-body angular momentum (<span><math><msub><mrow><mi>H</mi></mrow><mrow><mi>M</mi></mrow></msub></math></span>). These transitions have different final states, and we do not know whether the two mechanisms are used similarly during the anticipatory period.</div></div><div><h3>Research question</h3><div>Is the final state already taken into account during the anticipatory period of a whole-body movement initiation?</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We compared the time evolution of the CoP and <span><math><msub><mrow><mi>H</mi></mrow><mrow><mi>M</mi></mrow></msub></math></span> in the sagittal plane during the anticipatory period of both gait and step initiation in 13 young, healthy participants.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>During gait initiation, we observed a larger backward CoP shift (31–56 % and 75–100 % of the anticipatory period), a larger forward-directed <span><math><msub><mrow><mi>H</mi></mrow><mrow><mi>M</mi></mrow></msub></math></span> (45–68 %), and a lower backward-directed <span><math><msub><mrow><mi>H</mi></mrow><mrow><mi>M</mi></mrow></msub></math></span> (84–100 %) compared to step initiation.</div></div><div><h3>Significance</h3><div>Our results show that mechanical instability is larger during gait initiation, while <span><math><msub><mrow><mi>H</mi></mrow><mrow><mi>M</mi></mrow></msub></math></span> modulation is larger during step initiation. These findings suggest that the final state of a transition is taken into account during the anticipatory period. Based on our results, we suggest future research should use gait and step initiation to evaluate the generation of mechanical instability, and the use of free segments, respectively, in populations with balance deficits.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12496,"journal":{"name":"Gait & posture","volume":"119 ","pages":"Pages 185-188"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-03-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143704199","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Functional task kinematics in older adults: The role of fear of falling and fall history as measured by themovement deviation profile","authors":"Cíntia Elord Júlio ,&nbsp;Fernanda Colella Antonialli ,&nbsp;Adriano Santana Xavier ,&nbsp;João Carlos Ferrari Corrêa ,&nbsp;Gábor Jószef Barton ,&nbsp;Paulo Roberto Garcia Lucareli","doi":"10.1016/j.gaitpost.2025.03.014","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.gaitpost.2025.03.014","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Most falls at home of older adults occur during activities of daily living, with fear of falling (FOF) heightening the risk.</div></div><div><h3>Research question</h3><div>How does the fear of falling influence the kinematics of functional tasks in faller and non-faller older people?</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A total of 68 participants aged 60 and older were divided into four groups: NF-lowFOF (non-faller with low fear, control group), NF-highFOF (non-faller with high fear), F-lowFOF (faller with low fear), and F-highFOF (faller with high fear), with 17 individuals in each group. The three-dimensional kinematics data were analyzed using a single number gait deviation index, the mean Movement Deviation Profile (MDPmean), to identify which task and group had the greatest difference by comparing the Z-scores of the MDPmean. Multivariate analysis and Bonferroni post hoc tests (p &lt; 0.05) were employed to analyze group interactions.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Significant differences in kinematics were observed across all functional tasks. The largest effect size between the control group and the other groups for each functional task were descending and ascending stairs, sitting to stand, walking turn and gait in F-highFOF, and standing to sit in F-lowFOF. The time to perform each task didn’t differ between the groups.</div></div><div><h3>Significance</h3><div>FOF (whether high or low) can significantly impact the kinematics of functional tasks in both faller and non-faller older adults. Therefore, assessing FOF in this population is crucial to prevent falls and promote rehabilitation, especially in non-faller older adults with high FOF.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12496,"journal":{"name":"Gait & posture","volume":"119 ","pages":"Pages 208-214"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-03-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143705716","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Changes in time-continuous joint kinematics in preschool children over the stance phase of gait","authors":"Marketa Rygelova ,&nbsp;Jaroslav Uchytil ,&nbsp;Joseph Hamill ,&nbsp;Jan Malus ,&nbsp;Isaac Estevan Torres ,&nbsp;Miroslav Janura","doi":"10.1016/j.gaitpost.2025.03.013","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.gaitpost.2025.03.013","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>The use of statistical parameter mapping (SPM) to compare gait kinematics of children at different ages seems to be a more appropriate tool to describe the differences than simply describing the maxima and minima on the curves.</div></div><div><h3>Research question</h3><div>Does lower limb kinematic waveforms differ during gait in normally developing preschool children?</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>In a cross-sectional study, SPM was used to compare kinematic waveforms of typically developing preschool children at ages 2, 3, and 6 years (n = 42).</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Differences in internal rotation foot angle between 2-year-olds and 3-, 6-year-olds in 22–55 % lower in 2-year-olds but 85–100 % greater in 2-year-olds. Greater internal rotation of the knee in 2-year-olds versus 6-year-olds in 13–25 % of the stance phase. Lower knee abduction in 2-year-olds versus 6-year-olds in the first 13 % of the stance phase.</div></div><div><h3>Significance</h3><div>Comparison of the waveforms of the angle may provide a clearer understanding of the differences in gait kinematics in children at different ages.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12496,"journal":{"name":"Gait & posture","volume":"119 ","pages":"Pages 203-207"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-03-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143705715","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of somatosensory-stimulating foot orthoses on postural balance in older adults: A computerized dynamic posturography analysis","authors":"Abu Jor ,&nbsp;Chun Hei Lai ,&nbsp;Mohammad Jobair Khan ,&nbsp;Yufan He ,&nbsp;Wing-Kai Lam ,&nbsp;Stanley J. Winser ,&nbsp;Fan Gao ,&nbsp;Ming Zhang ,&nbsp;Toshiki Kobayashi","doi":"10.1016/j.gaitpost.2025.03.016","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.gaitpost.2025.03.016","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Foot orthoses (FO) with protruding knobs designed to stimulate the mechanoreceptors on the glabrous skin of the foot have been proposed to enhance proprioception, thereby improving postural balance and stability. This study aimed to investigate the effects of these FO with stimulating knobs on the postural balance in the elderly using computerized dynamic posturography (CDP).</div></div><div><h3>Research question</h3><div>Do FO with stimulating knobs enhance postural balance in the elderly by improving scores related to sensory organization, motor control, and adaptation in response to different static and dynamic perturbation conditions?</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Twenty-three healthy elderly participants performed the CDP, which includes Sensory Organization Test, Motor Control Test, and Adaptation Test in both flat FO and stimulating FO. The Bertec Balance Advantage System with force plates was employed to collect comprehensive CDP data.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Our results indicated a significant improvement in the composite equilibrium score (MD=1.44, p = 0.048) and weight symmetry (MD=-1.85, p = 0.024) between the two limbs when using the stimulating FO compared to the flat FO condition. The latency and amplitude scaling during backward translation as well as sway energy during toes down perturbations were lower in females than males with stimulating FO (Latency: MD=-6.62, p = 0.044; Amplitude scaling: MD=-1.75, p = 0.011; Sway energy: MD=-40.08, p = 0.007).</div></div><div><h3>Significance</h3><div>These findings highlight the potential of stimulating FO to provide enhanced somatosensory feedback for better postural control and coordination, underscoring their potential clinical application in improving balance and sensory integration.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12496,"journal":{"name":"Gait & posture","volume":"119 ","pages":"Pages 189-196"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-03-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143704197","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of arm movement on emotional state and walking outcomes during height-induced postural threat in healthy young adults","authors":"Johanna Lambrich ,&nbsp;Mathew W. Hill ,&nbsp;Thomas Muehlbauer ,&nbsp;Anna M. Wissmann","doi":"10.1016/j.gaitpost.2025.03.012","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.gaitpost.2025.03.012","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>There is evidence that height-induced postural threat leads to detrimental effects on walking performance. However, little is known about how the additional restriction of stabilizing arm movements affects gait and emotional state outcomes.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>The purpose was to investigate how the restriction of arm movement affects subjective and objective balance-related measures during walking at or above ground-level.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Twenty-two healthy young adults (11 males, 11 females; mean ± SD age; 24.4 ± 4.9 years) walked five meters at self-selected speed on ground-level (no threat) and 80 cm above ground-level (threat) with free and restricted arm movement. Emotional state outcomes were quantified by assessing self-reported balance confidence, fear of falling, perceived instability, and conscious balance processing. Walking outcomes (i.e., gait velocity, cadence, step time, normal impulse) were calculated using pressure-detecting insoles.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Irrespective of arm movement condition, height-induced postural threat evoked a decrease in balance confidence and increases in fear of falling, perceived instability, and conscious balance processing as well as deteriorations in walking outcomes (i.e., decrease in gait speed and cadence; increase in step time and normal impulse). For balance confidence and step time, the threat-induced impairments were further amplified when arm movements were restricted.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>The strengthening of the height-induced deteriorations in emotional state (balance confidence) and walking (step time) outcomes due to the restriction of the arm movements emphasizes the importance of stabilizing, free arm movements (‘upper body strategy’) for dynamic postural control.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12496,"journal":{"name":"Gait & posture","volume":"119 ","pages":"Pages 197-202"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-03-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143704198","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Within-session dual-task walking practice improves gait variability in older adults with multiple sclerosis","authors":"Manuel E. Hernandez ,&nbsp;Robert W. Motl ,&nbsp;Frederick W. Foley ,&nbsp;Meltem Izzetoglu ,&nbsp;Mark Wagshul ,&nbsp;Roee Holtzer","doi":"10.1016/j.gaitpost.2025.03.011","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.gaitpost.2025.03.011","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Greater gait variability is associated with falls in aging and multiple sclerosis. However, whether older adults with MS (OAMS), show higher gait variability relative to healthy older adults (HOA), under single and dual-task walking conditions, has not been reported. Furthermore, it is unclear whether practice may improve gait variability in both groups.</div></div><div><h3>Research question</h3><div>Is gait variability higher in OAMS relative to HOA, particularly in DTW compared to STW? Furthermore, does practice result in decreased gait variability in both groups, notably under DTW compared to STW?</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We examined the effect of within-session practice on gait variability during single (STW) and dual (DTW) task gait conditions. OAMS (n = 97, mean±SD age: 65 ± 5 years, 66 females) and HOA (n = 113, mean±SD age: 68 ± 7 years, 73 females) were recruited. Practice effects on gait variability were evaluated over three repeated counterbalanced STW and DTW trials. Gait variability measures included Coefficient of Variation (CV) in stride velocity, stride length, and swing time.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>OAMS demonstrated higher gait variability, on all measures, relative to HOA during both STW and DTW (P &lt; 0.001). Gait variability on all measures was higher in DTW compared to STW, (P &lt; 0.05). Practice resulted in decreased gait variability (P &lt; 0.01) on all measures in both OAMS and HOA. Furthermore, practice resulted in decreased temporal gait variability, as measured by swing time CV, under DTW in particular (P &lt; 0.05).</div></div><div><h3>Significance</h3><div>In conclusion, OAMS exhibited greater gait variability than HOA, yet both groups demonstrated decreases in temporal and spatial gait variability after within-session practice, notably under DTW, which in turn may reduce fall risk.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12496,"journal":{"name":"Gait & posture","volume":"119 ","pages":"Pages 171-177"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-03-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143681149","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}