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This study proposes to characterize the gait patterns of individuals with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) affected by spasticity using quantitative gait analysis.

Cross-sectional study on 38 individuals with MS, 19 affected by lower limb spasticity and 19 not affected, the latter forming the control group. Both groups were evaluated while walking using three-dimensional gait analysis. Spatio-temporal parameters of gait, kinematic data expressed by means of Gait Profile Score (GPS) and Range of Motion (ROM), as well as muscular activation, were evaluated.

The results show that spasticity originates a peculiar gait pattern characterized by reduced speed, cadence, stride length, swing phase and increased double support time, but they also reveal specific alterations in kinematics and muscular activation. In particular, significantly higher values of GPS, reduced hip and knee flexion-extension ROM and …