Gait and balance impairment in early multiple sclerosis in the absence of clinical disability

Abstract

This study evaluated the gait and balance performance of two clinically distinct groups of recently diagnosed and minimally impaired multiple sclerosis (MS) patients (Expanded Disability Status Scale range 0-2.5), compared to control subjects. Ten MS patients with mild pyramidal signs (Pyramidal Functional Systems 1.0), 10 MS patients with no pyramidal signs (Pyramidal Functional Systems 0) and 20 age- and gender-matched control subjects were assessed using laboratory-based gait analysis and clinical balance measures. Both MS groups demonstrated reduced speed and stride length (P< 0.001), and prolonged double limb support (P<0.02), compared to the control group, along with alterations in the..