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Accelerometry as a measure of walking behavior in multiple sclerosis
Author(s) -
Motl R. W.,
Pilutti L.,
Sandroff B. M.,
Dlugonski D.,
Sosnoff J. J.,
Pula J. H.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
acta neurologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.967
H-Index - 95
eISSN - 1600-0404
pISSN - 0001-6314
DOI - 10.1111/ane.12036
Subject(s) - cadence , accelerometer , gait , physical medicine and rehabilitation , multiple sclerosis , gait analysis , physical therapy , psychology , medicine , computer science , psychiatry , operating system
Objective Accelerometry has been identified as a possible ecologically valid and objective approach for measuring community ambulation in multiple sclerosis ( MS ). This study provides a validation of accelerometer output based on associations with Expanded Disability Status Scale ( EDSS ), Patient Determined Disease Steps ( PDDS ) Scale, and Multiple Sclerosis Walking Scale‐12 ( MSWS ‐12) scores, timed 25‐foot walk (T25 FW ) and 6‐min walk (6 MW ) performance, oxygen cost ( O 2 cost) of walking, and spatial and temporal parameters of gait. Materials and Methods 256 persons with MS completed the PDDS and MSWS ‐12, underwent an examination for the generation of an EDSS score, undertook two T25 FW tests and a 6 MW while wearing a portable metabolic unit for measuring the O 2 cost of walking, completed two trials of comfortable walking on a GAITR ite electronic walkway for measuring spatial and temporal parameters of gait, and then wore an Actigraph accelerometer during the waking hours of a 7‐day period. Results The accelerometer output was significantly correlated with EDSS (ρ = −0.522), PDDS (ρ = −0.551), and MSWS ‐12 (ρ = −0.617) scores, T25 FW (ρ = −0.595) and 6 MW (ρ = 0.630) performance, and O 2 cost of walking (ρ = −0.457). Regarding gait parameters, the accelerometer output was significantly correlated with velocity (ρ = 0.420), cadence (ρ = 0.349), step time (ρ = −0.353), step length (ρ = 0.395), double support (ρ = −0.424), and single support (ρ = 0.400). Conclusion We provide comprehensive evidence from a large sample of persons with MS that further supports accelerometry as a measure of walking behavior.