Contributions of Ankle, Knee, Hip, and Trunk Muscle Function to Gait Performance in People With Multiple Sclerosis: A Cross-Sectional Analysis. Issue 7 (6th April 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mañago, Mark M; Hebert, Jeffrey R; Kittelson, John; Schenkman, Margaret
• Is Part Of: Physical therapy. Volume 98:Issue 7(2018)
• Page Start: 595
• Page End: 604
• Publication Date: 2018-04-06
• Subjects: Physical therapy -- Periodicals; Physical therapy; Physical Therapy Modalities; Rehabilitation; Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine; Periodicals; 615.8205
• DOI: 10.1093/ptj/pzy048
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0031-9023

Abstract

Abstract: Background: The relative importance of lower extremity and trunk muscle function to gait in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) is unknown. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the association of lower extremity and trunk muscle function with gait performance in people who have MS and mild-to-moderate disability. Design: This was a cross-sectional, observational study. Methods: Participants were people who had an Expanded Disability Status Scale score of ≤ 5.5. Eleven lower extremity and trunk muscles were assessed using handheld dynamometry or endurance tests. Gait performance was assessed with the Timed 25-Foot (7.62 m) Walk (T25FW) and 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT). Regression analysis was used to quantify the association between gait outcomes and muscle variables. Results: Seventy-two participants with MS and a mean Expanded Disability Status Scale score of 3.5 (SD = 1.14) were enrolled. Adjusted for age and sex, the multivariate model including hip abduction, ankle plantar flexion, trunk flexion, and knee flexion explained 57% of the adjusted variance in the T25FW; hip abduction, ankle plantar flexion, and trunk flexion explained 61% of the adjusted variance in the 6MWT. The strongest predictors were ankle plantar flexion endurance for the T25FW and hip abduction strength for the 6MWT: a 1-SD increase in ankle plantar flexion (15.2 heel-raise repetitions) was associated with a 0.33-second reduction in the T25WT (95% CI = − 0.71 to − 0.14 seconds); a 1-SD increase in normalized hip abduction strength (0.14 kg/body mass index) was associated with a 54.4-m increase in the 6MWT (28.99 to 79.81 m). Limitations: Different measurement scales for independent variables were included because the muscle function assessment used either force or endurance. Conclusions: For the major muscles in the lower extremity and trunk, hip abduction, ankle plantar flexion, trunk flexion, and knee flexion were the strongest predictors of gait performance.