"Functional Assessment of Balance and Gait and Correlation With Kinetic and Kinematic Parameters in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis: Cross-Sectional Study"
试验速览
- 阶段
- 不适用
- 状态
- 招募中
- 入组人数
- 40
- 试验地点
- 2
- 主要终点
- Kinetic and Kinematic Analysis
研究概览
简要总结
The goal of this observational cross-sectional study is to investigate the relationship between functional measures of balance and gait and objective kinetic and kinematic parameters in people with Multiple Sclerosis (MS).
The main questions it aims to answer are:
i) What is the relationship between kinetic and kinematic gait and balance parameters measured using the Vicon motion analysis system and performance on clinical functional assessments in people with Multiple Sclerosis?
ii) Which biomechanical parameters are most strongly associated with functional balance, gait, and physical performance outcomes?
Participants will attend a single laboratory-based assessment session. During this session, they will undergo biomechanical gait and balance analysis using the Vicon motion capture system, complete functional assessments of balance, gait, and physical performance, complete questionnaires assessing fear of falling and fatigue, and undergo assessment of lower-limb spasticity.
详细描述
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic immune-mediated disease of the central nervous system characterized by demyelination and neurodegeneration. Impairments in balance and gait are among the most common manifestations of the disease and are associated with reduced mobility, increased risk of falls, decreased independence, and lower quality of life. Accurate assessment of these impairments is essential for clinical decision-making and the development of effective rehabilitation interventions.
Clinical functional assessments are widely used to evaluate balance, gait, and physical performance in individuals with Multiple Sclerosis. In parallel, advances in motion analysis technology have enabled the objective quantification of movement characteristics through kinetic and kinematic measurements. Although both approaches are commonly used in clinical and research settings, the relationship between objective biomechanical parameters and functional clinical outcomes remains insufficiently understood.
The purpose of this cross-sectional observational study is to investigate the associations between kinetic and kinematic measures of balance and gait obtained through three-dimensional motion analysis using the Vicon system and functional performance outcomes in people with Multiple Sclerosis. By examining these relationships, the study aims to identify biomechanical indicators that are most closely related to functional abilities and mobility limitations.
Participants will undergo a comprehensive laboratory-based assessment including biomechanical analysis of balance and gait, standardized functional performance testing, patient-reported outcome measures related to fear of falling and fatigue, and assessment of lower-limb spasticity. Correlation analyses will be conducted to explore the relationships between biomechanical and functional measures.
The findings of this study may contribute to a better understanding of the biomechanical determinants of functional performance in people with Multiple Sclerosis and support the selection of clinically meaningful assessment tools for rehabilitation practice and future research.
研究设计
- 研究类型
- Observational
- 观察模型
- Case Only
- 时间视角
- Cross Sectional
入排标准
- 年龄范围
- 18 Years 至 —（Adult, Older Adult）
- 性别
- All
- 接受健康志愿者
- 否
入选标准
- •Adults (≥ 18 years) with confirmed diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis
- •Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score <6
- •Ability to ambulate independently without the use of assistive devices
- •Absence of significant orthopedic or neurological conditions affecting mobility
- •Ability to understand and follow verbal instructions.
排除标准
- •History of injury or surgical intervention to the lower limbs or spine within the past year
- •Any musculoskeletal, neurological, cardiovascular, or other medical condition, other than Multiple Sclerosis, that may significantly affect gait or balance or compromise participant safety during testing.
- •Severe balance impairment or high risk of falling that prevents safe participation in single-leg stance, gait analysis, or obstacle negotiation tasks.
研究组 & 干预措施
Individuals With Multiple Sclerosis
Individuals with a confirmed diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis participating in a cross-sectional evaluation of balance, gait, physical performance, spasticity, fear of falling, and fatigue. Participants will complete biomechanical gait and balance analysis using the Vicon motion capture system and a battery of standardized clinical assessments.
结局指标
主要结局
Kinetic and Kinematic Analysis
时间窗: Single laboratory session (~40 minutes per participant)
Three-dimensional gait and balance analysis will be performed using a Vicon Nexus version 2.16 motion-capture system (12 Vero cameras, 200 Hertz \[Hz\]) synchronized with two Bertec force plates (1000 Hz). Reflective markers will record spatial coordinates for gait speed, step length, joint angles, and Center-of-Pressure (CoP) displacement. This setup enables precise kinetic and kinematic quantification of balance and gait parameters and allows correlation with clinical functional tests in individuals with Multiple Sclerosis (MS).
次要结局
未报告次要终点
研究者
Eirini Papakosta
Research Physiotherapist
University of Patras