Lore Wyers1, Roberto Di Marco2, Stefano Zambelli3, Stefano Masiero4, Ann Hallemans5, Patricia Van de Walle6, Kaat Desloovere7, Alessandra Del Felice4. 1. Research Group MOVANT, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences and Physiotherapy (REVAKI), University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium; Multidisciplinary Motor Centre Antwerp, University of Antwerp, Belgium; Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium. 2. Department of Neuroscience, Section of Rehabilitation, Laboratory of Clinical Analysis and Biomechanics of Movement and Posture NEUROMOVE-Rehab, University of Padova, Padova, Italy. 3. Department of Neuroscience, Section of Rehabilitation, Laboratory of Clinical Analysis and Biomechanics of Movement and Posture NEUROMOVE-Rehab, University of Padova, Padova, Italy; Department of Information Engineering, University of Padova, Padova, Italy. 4. Department of Neuroscience, Section of Rehabilitation, Laboratory of Clinical Analysis and Biomechanics of Movement and Posture NEUROMOVE-Rehab, University of Padova, Padova, Italy; PNC, Padova Neuroscience Center, Padova, Italy. 5. Research Group MOVANT, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences and Physiotherapy (REVAKI), University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium; Multidisciplinary Motor Centre Antwerp, University of Antwerp, Belgium. Electronic address: ann.hallemans@uantwerpen.be. 6. Research Group MOVANT, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences and Physiotherapy (REVAKI), University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium; Multidisciplinary Motor Centre Antwerp, University of Antwerp, Belgium. 7. Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Clinical Motion Analysis Laboratory, University Hospital Leuven, Pellenberg, Belgium.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Dravet Syndrome (DS) is a developmental and epileptic encephalopathy characterized by severe drug-resistant seizures and associated with cognitive and motor impairments. Walking problems are frequently observed. As the foot plays a key role during walking, compromised foot function can be a feature of deviant gait. AIM: To investigate foot function in DS by characterizing foot-floor contact patterns using pedobarography. METHODS: A total of 31 children and adults were included in the DS group (aged 5.2-32.8 years, 17 female, 174 steps) and 30 in the control group (aged 6.0-32.9, 16 female, 180 steps). The foot-floor contact pattern was evaluated based on progression, length and smoothness (spectral arc length) of the center of pressure (CoP). Linear mixed models were used to identify differences between non-heel strikes and heel strikes and between the DS and control group. RESULTS: Fifteen participants with DS showed inconsistency in the type of foot-floor contact (heel strikes and non-heel strikes). Heel strikes of participants with DS had significantly reduced time of CoP under the hindfoot and increased time under the midfoot region compared to the control group. Significant time and age effects were detected. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Deviant foot-floor contact patterns were observed in DS. Possible gait immaturity and instability as well as implications for interventions are discussed.
BACKGROUND: Dravet Syndrome (DS) is a developmental and epileptic encephalopathy characterized by severe drug-resistant seizures and associated with cognitive and motor impairments. Walking problems are frequently observed. As the foot plays a key role during walking, compromised foot function can be a feature of deviant gait. AIM: To investigate foot function in DS by characterizing foot-floor contact patterns using pedobarography. METHODS: A total of 31 children and adults were included in the DS group (aged 5.2-32.8 years, 17 female, 174 steps) and 30 in the control group (aged 6.0-32.9, 16 female, 180 steps). The foot-floor contact pattern was evaluated based on progression, length and smoothness (spectral arc length) of the center of pressure (CoP). Linear mixed models were used to identify differences between non-heel strikes and heel strikes and between the DS and control group. RESULTS: Fifteen participants with DS showed inconsistency in the type of foot-floor contact (heel strikes and non-heel strikes). Heel strikes of participants with DS had significantly reduced time of CoP under the hindfoot and increased time under the midfoot region compared to the control group. Significant time and age effects were detected. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Deviant foot-floor contact patterns were observed in DS. Possible gait immaturity and instability as well as implications for interventions are discussed.