A Delphi study to identify key gait patterns and their potential causes in people with multiple sclerosis
Objective: This study aims to identify characteristic gait patterns in people with multiple sclerosis, to describe their key characteristics, and to identify their potential underlying causes. Design: a 3-round Delphi study. Participants: An international panel of 20 experts, including physiothera...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Medical Journals Sweden
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://medicaljournalssweden.se/jrm/article/view/42556 |
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| Summary: | Objective: This study aims to identify characteristic gait patterns in people with multiple sclerosis, to describe their key characteristics, and to identify their potential underlying causes.
Design: a 3-round Delphi study.
Participants: An international panel of 20 experts, including physiotherapists, a neurologist, rehabilitation physicians, biomechanical engineers, and movement scientists with expertise in multiple sclerosis or gait analysis.
Methods: A comprehensive list of gait characteristics and underlying impairments was compiled and analysed to identify common gait patterns and their primary features and potential causes. Consensus was defined as 67% agreement.
Results: Consensus was reached on 6 gait patterns in multiple sclerosis: (i) drop foot; (ii) insufficient push-off; (iii) stiff knee during swing; (iv) knee hyperextension during stance; (i) knee flexion in midstance; and (vi) enhanced gait variability. At least 69% agreement was achieved on the naming of the final gait patterns, their key characteristics, and the potential causes of each pattern.
Conclusion: Consensus was achieved on 6 gait patterns, their characteristics, and potential underlying causes. The identification of these gait patterns may support clinical decision-making regarding diagnostic and treatment measures, and deepen understanding of impairments that underlie walking problems in people with multiple sclerosis.
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| ISSN: | 1651-2081 |