Quantifying gait impairment in multiple sclerosis using GAITRite™ technology

This pilot study investigated the validity of the functional ambulatory profile (FAP) score from the GAITRite™ electronic pathway in persons with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) who had onset of walking impairment. Thirteen PwMS who had Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores of 4.0-6.0 performed four trials on GAITRite™ pathway, and completed a multidimensional walking assessment including performance tests (timed 25 foot walk; T25FW, timed up and go; TUG), self reports of walking ability (Multiple Sclerosis Walking Scale-12; MSWS-12) and function (Late Life Function and Disability Inventory; LL-FDI), and free-living walking behavior (accelerometry). The FAP score correlated strongly with neurological disability (EDSS, ρ= -0.81), walking performance (T25FW, ρ= -0.82; TUG, ρ= -0.88) and self-reported walking function (LL-FDI, ρ= 0.81), and moderately with self-reported walking impairment (MSWS-12, ρ= 0.49) and free-living walking behavior (accelerometry, ρ= 0.52). This suggests that the FAP score is a valid marker of gait impairment in PwMS who have onset of walking impairment.