Knee muscle strength in multiple sclerosis: relationship with gait
characteristics |
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Authors: | Senem Güner Sema Haghar? Fatma Inan?c? Serap Alsancak Gokhan Aytek?n |
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Institution: | 1) Department of Prosthetics and Orthotics, Vocational School of Health Services, Ankara University, Turkey;2) Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Erzurum Regional Training and Research Hospital, Turkey;3) Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Hacettepe University, Turkey |
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Abstract: | Purpose] To investigate the relationship between isokinetic knee muscle strength and
kinematic, kinetic and spatiotemporal gait parameters of patients with multiple sclerosis
(MS). Subjects and Methods] Twenty-nine MS patients (mean age 31.5±6.5) were investigated
in this study. The isokinetic knee muscle strength and gait parameters of MS patients with
moderate and severe disability, as determined by the expanded disability status scale
(EDSS): EDSS=1–4.5 (n=22, moderate disability) and EDSS>4.5 (n=7, severe disability)
were measured. Results] Isokinetic knee muscle strength, kinematic, kinetic and
spatiotemporal gait parameters differed between moderate (EDSS=1–4.5, n=22) and severe
disability (EDSS>4.5, n=7). The correlation between each of gait speed, stride length,
total range of knee joint movement and the four strength parameters (minimum and maximum
quadriceps and hamstring muscle strengths) were significant for the MS group as a whole.
Within subgroups, the correlation between minimum hamstring strength and total range of
knee movement was significant only in group EDSS>4.5; minimum hamstring correlated with
peak knee extensor moment in group EDSS=1–4.5, but at a reduced level of significance.
Conclusion] The present study revealed significant correlations between gait
characteristics and isokinetic strength parameters of the quadriceps and hamstring
muscles. Our study suggests that rehabilitation protocols for MS patients should include a
critical strength training programme particularly for the hamstring and quadriceps
muscles.Key words: Multiple sclerosis, Gait analysis, Muscle strength |
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