THE EFFECT OF A NOVEL REHABILITATION PROGRAM ON WALKING PERFORMANCE IN PERSONS WITH MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS

The current study examined the effects of the NewGait™ device on walking performance in persons with multiple sclerosis (MS). Eight MS patients participated in this study. Pre- and post-testing assessed kinematic gait variables (step width, length, and speed), ankle range of motion, and rating of perceived exertion (RPE). Participants completed an 8-week physical therapy (PT) protocol aimed to improve gait and balance, with the experimental group wearing the NewGait™ device. Repeated measures mixed ANOVA showed no main effects between the gait variables or between groups. Post-hoc paired t-tests indicated that the NewGait™ device elicited meaningful change in left and right step length and speed. The NewGait™ device may be a promising rehabilitation device to help induce positive walking performance changes in persons with MS

THE EFFECT OF A NOVEL REHABILITATION DEVICE ON MUSCLE ACTIVATION DURING GAIT IN PERSONS WITH MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS

This study examined the acute effect of a novel rehabilitation device, NewGait™, on muscle activation in persons with Multiple Sclerosis. Through electromyography, muscle activation of the vastus medialis (VM), gastrocnemius lateralis (GL) and tibialis anterior (TA) was measured in seventeen patients (n=17). Three trials were conducted in each condition: a 10-meter control walk and 10-meter NewGait™ walk. Results showed a non-significant change in muscle activity with moderate effect sizes in the right VM (increase of 39.72% MVC, p=0.082, d=0.626) and right TA (decrease of 12.71% MVC, p=0.069, d=0.427). In general, no change in muscle activation was noted when wearing the NewGait™ device. Future research should include a larger sample size and differentiation between the stance phases to accurately measure the outcomes of the NewGait™ device on muscle activation

CHANGES IN GAIT AND COORDINATION VARIABILITY IN PERSONS WITH MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS FOLLOWING A REHABILITATION PROGRAM

This study investigated changes in gait and coordination variability in persons with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) after an 8-week rehabilitation intervention. Data for eight participants (Control: 4, Intervention: 4) were analyzed via Cortex Motion Analysis software and Visual 3D to calculate knee and ankle joint angles as well as discrete spatiotemporal parameters. The knee and ankle joint angles were further analyzed using a vector coding technique to quantify coordination between these joints and how they produce a functional gait pattern. No significant changes in gait or coordination variability were found after rehabilitation, but some meaningful changes with large and moderate effect sizes were present. This study demonstrated a comprehensive overview of the relationship between process and outcome variability in a clinical population

Validation of the Timed Up and Go Test as a Functional Mobility Assessment Tool in the Pediatric Population

The purpose of this study is to determine the concurrent validity of the Timed Up and Go (TUG) as an assessment of functional mobility in the pediatric population. The TUG scores were correlated with the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI). Eighteen subjects with a variety of cognitive and physical disabilities, aged 6 to 7 years, were recruited. A one-tailed Spearman’s Rank Correlation Coefficient was used to analyze the scores. A weak inverse relationship between the TUG and PEDI scores (rs = -0.386, p = 0.075) was found when the scores from all participants were analyzed. A moderate inverse relationship was shown when the physically challenged individual scores were run separately (rs =-0.523, p = 0.027). Generalizations cannot be made regarding the use of the TUG with the pediatric population due to the small sample size of this study. Further research is necessary to investigate the validity of using the TUG to measure functional mobility in the pediatric population