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Publications

Journal Article Epublish

PubMed: 42661888 DOI: 10.1177/20552173261471715

Walking fatigability indices correspond with perception of changes in gait speed and quality during an instrumented 6-minute walking test in people with multiple sclerosis.

Mult Scler J Exp Transl Clin 12(3):20552173261471715

Authors: Felipe Balistieri Santinelli, Massimiliano Pau, Zuhal Abasiyanik, Deborah Severijns, Gianluca Florio, Miguel D' Haeseleer, Daphne Kos, Pieter Meyns, Cintia Ramari, Peter Feys

Affiliations

  • REVAL Rehabilitation Research Center, Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium.
  • University MS Centre (UMSC), Hasselt, Belgium.
  • Department of Mechanical, Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy.
  • REVAL Rehabilitation Research Center, Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium. University MS Centre (UMSC), Hasselt, Belgium. Rehabilitation & Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Noorderhart, Pelt, Belgium.
  • REVAL Rehabilitation Research Center, Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium. University MS Centre (UMSC), Hasselt, Belgium.
  • National Multiple Sclerosis Center, Melsbroek, Belgium.
  • Department Neuroprotection & Neuromodulation (NEUR), Center for Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.
  • Department of Neurology, University Hospital Brussels, Brussels, Belgium.
  • Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
  • REVAL Rehabilitation Research Center, Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium. University MS Centre (UMSC), Hasselt, Belgium. School of Medicine, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul - PUCRS, Porto Alegre, Brazil.

Abstract

BACKGROUND

People with MS (pwMS) present changes in gait speed and quality during a 6-min walking test (6MWT). It is unknown whether these changes are clinically meaningful.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the relationships between pwMS-perceived changes in gait speed and quality with walking fatigability indices.

METHODS

Forty-five pwMS (EDSS: 4.0; 51 ± 11 years) performed the 6MWT. Sensor-based fatigability indices were calculated by comparing gait quality and the distance walked between the first/last minute of the 6MWT. Perceived changes in speed, smoothness, balance, ankle, knee and hip movement, attention, spasticity and pain were reported after the 6MWT using a questionnaire (Likert-type). The minimal important change (MIC) was calculated using an anchor-based approach. Spearman's rank correlations (pwMS-perceived changes x fatigability indices) were calculated.

RESULTS

More than half of pwMS reported changes in speed, smoothness, balance, or ankle position after the 6MWT. Significant MICs were found for most gait quality fatigability indices, as well as significant correlations with perceived changes, particularly for distance, speed, cadence, stride length, double support, step duration variability, and toe-off angle.

CONCLUSION

PwMS perceived changes in gait speed and quality. The MIC values complement existing cut-off scores, facilitating the identification of walking fatigability and its use in clinical trials.

MeSH

Sclerosis, Multiple Sclerosis, Ankle, Perception, Gait, Walking Speed, Fatigue, Walking