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: Sjoerd T. Timmermans, Marjolein M. van der Krogt, Marc B. Rietberg, Heleen Beckerman, Vincent de Groot
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Medical Journals Sweden 2025-06-01
Series:Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine
Subjects:
Online Access:https://medicaljournalssweden.se/jrm/article/view/42556
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author Sjoerd T. Timmermans
Marjolein M. van der Krogt
Marc B. Rietberg
Heleen Beckerman
Vincent de Groot
author_facet Sjoerd T. Timmermans
Marjolein M. van der Krogt
Marc B. Rietberg
Heleen Beckerman
Vincent de Groot
author_sort Sjoerd T. Timmermans
collection DOAJ
description 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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spelling doaj-art-8bddfcfefb144b3bbc333836825d074d2025-08-20T02:05:21ZengMedical Journals SwedenJournal of Rehabilitation Medicine1651-20812025-06-015710.2340/jrm.v57.42556A Delphi study to identify key gait patterns and their potential causes in people with multiple sclerosisSjoerd T. Timmermans0Marjolein M. van der Krogt1Marc B. Rietberg2Heleen Beckerman3Vincent de Groot4Amsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Rehabilitation Medicine, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Amsterdam Movement Sciences, Rehabilitation & Development, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; MS Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, The NetherlandsAmsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Rehabilitation Medicine, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Amsterdam Movement Sciences, Rehabilitation & Development, Amsterdam, The NetherlandsAmsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Rehabilitation Medicine, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Amsterdam Movement Sciences, Rehabilitation & Development, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; MS Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, The NetherlandsAmsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Rehabilitation Medicine, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Amsterdam Movement Sciences, Rehabilitation & Development, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; MS Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, The NetherlandsAmsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Rehabilitation Medicine, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Amsterdam Movement Sciences, Rehabilitation & Development, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; MS Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, The NetherlandsObjective: 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. https://medicaljournalssweden.se/jrm/article/view/42556Delphi studyabnormal gait patternmultiple sclerosis
spellingShingle Sjoerd T. Timmermans
Marjolein M. van der Krogt
Marc B. Rietberg
Heleen Beckerman
Vincent de Groot
A Delphi study to identify key gait patterns and their potential causes in people with multiple sclerosis
Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine
Delphi study
abnormal gait pattern
multiple sclerosis
title A Delphi study to identify key gait patterns and their potential causes in people with multiple sclerosis
title_full A Delphi study to identify key gait patterns and their potential causes in people with multiple sclerosis
title_fullStr A Delphi study to identify key gait patterns and their potential causes in people with multiple sclerosis
title_full_unstemmed A Delphi study to identify key gait patterns and their potential causes in people with multiple sclerosis
title_short A Delphi study to identify key gait patterns and their potential causes in people with multiple sclerosis
title_sort delphi study to identify key gait patterns and their potential causes in people with multiple sclerosis
topic Delphi study
abnormal gait pattern
multiple sclerosis
url https://medicaljournalssweden.se/jrm/article/view/42556
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