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People with Multiple Sclerosis Show Improved Gait with Balance-Based Torso Weighting
Diane D. Allen, Anna-Maria Gorgas, San Francisco, CA, Cynthia Gibson-Horn, Gail L. Widener, Oakland, CA
OBJECTIVE: In this study, we examined specific gait parameters with and without Balance-Based Torso Weighting (BBTW).
BACKGROUND: Up to 85% of people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) have balance and gait impairments. BBTW, a non-pharmaceutical intervention in which patients wear light weights on the trunk, has resulted in immediate functional improvements in PwMS.
DESIGN/METHODS: Twenty-seven volunteers (age 25-68) participated: 19 with MS (EDSS score equivalent 2-6, 12 with EDSS ≤3) and 8 healthy controls. Participants walked across an instrumented gait mat three times “as fast as you can, safely.” After being weighted using the BBTW protocol (weights 0.75-2.75 pounds, average 0.92% body weight), participants repeated the walking trials. Two-tailed paired t-tests compared velocity, step parameters, and cadence with and without weighting.
RESULTS: In PwMS, mean velocity, cadence and percentage of gait cycle in single (SLS) and double (DLS) limb support showed statistically significant results. Mean (SD) velocity was 169 (37) cm/sec unweighted and 176 (35) cm/sec for the weighted trials. Cadence averaged 143 (18.7) steps/min unweighted and 147 (18) steps/min weighted. SLS averaged 40.5% (1.8) without weights and 41% (1.6) with weights; DLS averaged 18 (3.6) without and 17 (3.3) with weights. Step length and step width showed no significant difference between the two conditions. At matched velocities without weights, none of the variables were significantly different between PwMS and controls.
CONCLUSIONS: The immediate increase in velocity with weights averaged 4% even in this relatively unimpaired sample of PwMS. Improvement in cadence and decreased time in double-limb support indicate greater stability during gait with BBTW. This low-risk intervention shows promise as an adjunct to pharmaceutical and other rehabilitative protocols for PwMS having balance and gait impairments.
Diane D. Allen, Anna-Maria Gorgas, San Francisco, CA, Cynthia Gibson-Horn, Gail L. Widener, Oakland, CA
OBJECTIVE: In this study, we examined specific gait parameters with and without Balance-Based Torso Weighting (BBTW).
BACKGROUND: Up to 85% of people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) have balance and gait impairments. BBTW, a non-pharmaceutical intervention in which patients wear light weights on the trunk, has resulted in immediate functional improvements in PwMS.
DESIGN/METHODS: Twenty-seven volunteers (age 25-68) participated: 19 with MS (EDSS score equivalent 2-6, 12 with EDSS ≤3) and 8 healthy controls. Participants walked across an instrumented gait mat three times “as fast as you can, safely.” After being weighted using the BBTW protocol (weights 0.75-2.75 pounds, average 0.92% body weight), participants repeated the walking trials. Two-tailed paired t-tests compared velocity, step parameters, and cadence with and without weighting.
RESULTS: In PwMS, mean velocity, cadence and percentage of gait cycle in single (SLS) and double (DLS) limb support showed statistically significant results. Mean (SD) velocity was 169 (37) cm/sec unweighted and 176 (35) cm/sec for the weighted trials. Cadence averaged 143 (18.7) steps/min unweighted and 147 (18) steps/min weighted. SLS averaged 40.5% (1.8) without weights and 41% (1.6) with weights; DLS averaged 18 (3.6) without and 17 (3.3) with weights. Step length and step width showed no significant difference between the two conditions. At matched velocities without weights, none of the variables were significantly different between PwMS and controls.
CONCLUSIONS: The immediate increase in velocity with weights averaged 4% even in this relatively unimpaired sample of PwMS. Improvement in cadence and decreased time in double-limb support indicate greater stability during gait with BBTW. This low-risk intervention shows promise as an adjunct to pharmaceutical and other rehabilitative protocols for PwMS having balance and gait impairments.
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