Magali Laidet1, François R Herrmann2, Stéphane Armand3, Frédéric Assal4, Patrice H Lalive5, Gilles Allali6. 1. Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Division of Neurology, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva University, Geneva, Switzerland; Willy Taillard Laboratory of Kinesiology, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva University, Switzerland. Electronic address: Magali.laidet@hcuge.ch. 2. Division of Geriatrics, Department of Internal Medicine, Rehabilitation and Geriatrics, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva University, Geneva, Switzerland. Electronic address: Francois.Herrmann@hcuge.ch. 3. Willy Taillard Laboratory of Kinesiology, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva University, Switzerland. Electronic address: Stephane.Armand@hcuge.ch. 4. Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Division of Neurology, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva University, Geneva, Switzerland. Electronic address: Frederic.Assal@hcuge.ch. 5. Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Division of Neurology, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva University, Geneva, Switzerland; Department of Genetic and Laboratory Medicine, Division of Laboratory Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland. Electronic address: Patrice.Lalive@hcuge.ch. 6. Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Division of Neurology, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva University, Geneva, Switzerland; Department of Neurology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Yeshiva University, USA. Electronic address: Gilles.Allali@hcuge.ch.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Behavioural symptoms and gait disorders are very common in patients with multiple sclerosis. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between fear of falling and gait instability at one year in patients with multiple sclerosis. METHODS: Thirty-five multiple sclerosis patients were included. Fear of falling was assessed by the Fall Efficacy Scale-International and gait variability with stride time variability under single and dual-task conditions at baseline and at one year. RESULTS: Baseline fear of falling score was associated with increased stride time variability at one year during dual-task condition even after adjustment on covariates. CONCLUSION: Fear of falling is associated with gait variability at one year, especially under dual-task condition.
BACKGROUND: Behavioural symptoms and gait disorders are very common in patients with multiple sclerosis. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between fear of falling and gait instability at one year in patients with multiple sclerosis. METHODS: Thirty-five multiple sclerosispatients were included. Fear of falling was assessed by the Fall Efficacy Scale-International and gait variability with stride time variability under single and dual-task conditions at baseline and at one year. RESULTS: Baseline fear of falling score was associated with increased stride time variability at one year during dual-task condition even after adjustment on covariates. CONCLUSION: Fear of falling is associated with gait variability at one year, especially under dual-task condition.