Charlotte Elsworth-Edelsten1, Alice Bonnefoy-Mazure2, Magali Laidet3, Stephane Armand3, Frederic Assal4, Patrice Lalive5, Gilles Allali6. 1. Willy Taillard Laboratory of Kinesiology, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland; Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Division of Neurology, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland. Electronic address: dr.elsworthedelsten@gmail.com. 2. Willy Taillard Laboratory of Kinesiology, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland. 3. Willy Taillard Laboratory of Kinesiology, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland; Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Division of Neurology, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland. 4. Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Division of Neurology, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland. 5. Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Division of Neurology, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland; Department of Genetic and Laboratory Medicine, Laboratory Medicine Service, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland. 6. Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Division of Neurology, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland; Department of Neurology, Division of Cognitive & Motor Aging, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Yeshiva University, Bronx, NY, USA.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Gait disorders in multiple sclerosis (MS) are well studied; however, no previous study has described upper limb movements during gait. However, upper limb movements have an important role during locomotion and can be altered in MS patients due to direct MS lesions or mechanisms of compensation. The aim of this study was to describe the arm movements during gait in a population of MS patients with low disability compared with a healthy control group. METHODS: In this observational study we analyzed the arm movements during gait in 52 outpatients (mean age: 39.7±9.6years, female: 40%) with relapsing-remitting MS with low disability (mean EDSS: 2±1) and 25 healthy age-matched controls using a 3-dimension gait analysis. RESULTS: MS patients walked slower, with increased mean elbow flexion and decreased amplitude of elbow flexion (ROM) compared to the control group, whereas shoulder and hand movements were similar to controls. These differences were not explained by age or disability. CONCLUSION: Upper limb alterations in movement during gait in MS patients with low disability can be characterized by an increase in mean elbow flexion and a decrease in amplitude (ROM) for elbow flexion/extension. This upper limb movement pattern should be considered as a new component of gait disorders in MS and may reflect subtle motor deficits or the use of compensatory mechanisms.
PURPOSE:Gait disorders in multiple sclerosis (MS) are well studied; however, no previous study has described upper limb movements during gait. However, upper limb movements have an important role during locomotion and can be altered in MSpatients due to direct MS lesions or mechanisms of compensation. The aim of this study was to describe the arm movements during gait in a population of MSpatients with low disability compared with a healthy control group. METHODS: In this observational study we analyzed the arm movements during gait in 52 outpatients (mean age: 39.7±9.6years, female: 40%) with relapsing-remitting MS with low disability (mean EDSS: 2±1) and 25 healthy age-matched controls using a 3-dimension gait analysis. RESULTS:MSpatients walked slower, with increased mean elbow flexion and decreased amplitude of elbow flexion (ROM) compared to the control group, whereas shoulder and hand movements were similar to controls. These differences were not explained by age or disability. CONCLUSION: Upper limb alterations in movement during gait in MSpatients with low disability can be characterized by an increase in mean elbow flexion and a decrease in amplitude (ROM) for elbow flexion/extension. This upper limb movement pattern should be considered as a new component of gait disorders in MS and may reflect subtle motor deficits or the use of compensatory mechanisms.