Gait Pattern in People with Multiple Sclerosis: A Systematic Review

Abstract

The aim of the present systematic review was to describe the gait pattern in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) by compiling the main findings obtained from studies using three-dimensional capture systems of human movement. The search was carried out in PubMed, Web of Science, Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro), and the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health (CINAHL) databases. Studies that used three-dimensional gait analysis systems and that analyzed spatiotemporal, kinematic, kinetic, or electromyographic parameters, were included. The quality of the studies was assessed using the Critical Review Form–Quantitative Studies scale. 12 articles were included with 523 (342 women and 181 men) people with a diagnosis of MS. The present work suggests that people with MS have a decrease in speed and stride length, as well as an increase in double-stance intervals during gait. Likewise, it is common to observe a decrease in hip extension during the stance period, a decrease in knee flexion in the swing period, a decrease in ankle dorsiflexion in the initial contact and a decrease in ankle plantar flexion during the pre-swing phase. The subjects with MS decrease the hip extensor moment and the ankle power during the stance period of walking.