The effect of shoe cushioning on gait and balance in females with multiple sclerosis

© 2021. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature..

Gait and balance deficits are significant concerns for people with multiple sclerosis (MS). Shoe cushioning can influence mobility and balance, but its effect on walking and balance remains unknown in MS. This study aimed to determine how shoe cushioning affects gait and balance in females with MS (FwMS). We hypothesized that extra cushioning would improve gait but reduce balance performance. FwMS performed gait (n = 18) and balance (n = 17) assessments instrumented using inertial sensors in two different shoe conditions: a standard-cushioned and an extra-cushioned shoe. Care was taken to ensure minimal differences between shoe types other than midsole cushioning, but shoe construction was not identical between conditions. Spatiotemporal gait parameters were assessed during a 2-min walk test, while postural sway measures were evaluated using the modified Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction and Balance. In the extra-cushioned shoe, FwMS spent less time in the double support and stance phase with more time in the single support and swing phase. No differences in stride length, gait speed, or elevation at midswing were observed between shoe conditions. Decreased path length, RMS sway, and sway velocity were observed in the extra-cushioned shoe. No differences were observed in the gait cycle's spatial composition between shoe conditions, but FwMS demonstrated improvements in the gait cycle's temporal parameters and postural sway in the extra-cushioned shoe. This may suggest a less cautious walking strategy and improved balance when wearing a shoe with extra cushioning.

Medienart:

E-Artikel

Erscheinungsjahr:

2021

Erschienen:

2021

Enthalten in:

Zur Gesamtaufnahme - volume:239

Enthalten in:

Experimental brain research - 239(2021), 8 vom: 01. Aug., Seite 2593-2603

Sprache:

Englisch

Beteiligte Personen:

Monaghan, Andrew S [VerfasserIn]
Monaghan, Patrick G [VerfasserIn]
Richmond, Sutton B [VerfasserIn]
Roper, Jamie A [VerfasserIn]
Fling, Brett W [VerfasserIn]

Links:

Volltext

Themen:

Balance
Footwear
Gait
Journal Article
Mobility
Multiple sclerosis

Anmerkungen:

Date Completed 12.08.2021

Date Revised 12.08.2021

published: Print-Electronic

Citation Status MEDLINE

doi:

10.1007/s00221-021-06161-1

funding:

Förderinstitution / Projekttitel:

PPN (Katalog-ID):

NLM327589272