Gait Coordination in People with MS
A study involving 65 people with multiple sclerosis (MS) and 43 matched unaffected individuals assessed gait coordination using a six-minute walk test. It found that patients with MS had significantly poorer coordination compared to the unaffected group, with particular deficits noted in the knee-ankle joint.
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Why it matters
The findings demonstrate how MS affects gait coordination, which could influence rehabilitation strategies. Understanding these impairments could help in assessing and monitoring MS.
What this does not prove
The study does not prove that observed coordination deficits directly relate to therapeutic effectiveness or improvement in clinical outcomes. It mainly contributes to knowledge on gait metrics rather than treatment implications.
Next milestone
No next milestone was established from the available source.
Study facts
- Study design
- Observational
- Participants / samples
- 65 · Number of people with MS
- Randomised
- Not reported
- Controlled
- Yes
- Primary endpoint met
- Yes
- Relevant MS type
- Not reported
- Publication date
- 2026-09-20
- Evidence reviewed
- Abstract only
- Regulatory approval
- Not reported
- Research areas
- Other
Original sources
- Primary evidenceChanges in temporal and spatial gait coordination during the six‑minute walk test in people with multiple sclerosis. ↗DOI: 10.1007/s11517-026-03678-x
Supporting passages (12)
study designThis study investigated changes in gait coordination during the six-minute walk test (6MWT) by jointly analyzing temporal and spatial measures of inter-limb and inter-joint coordination.
subjectsSixty-five people with MS and 43 matched unaffected individuals performed the 6MWT while kinematic data were acquired using an inertial measurement unit-based motion capture system.
speciesSixty-five people with MS and 43 matched unaffected individuals performed the 6MWT while kinematic data were acquired using an inertial measurement unit-based motion capture system.
sample sizeSixty-five people with MS and 43 matched unaffected individuals performed the 6MWT while kinematic data were acquired using an inertial measurement unit-based motion capture system.
sample size basisWhile both groups demonstrated progressive changes over time, people with MS showed limited additional deterioration during prolonged walking, suggesting a ceiling effect related to baseline neuromotor impairment and reduced adaptive capacity.
controlledSixty-five people with MS and 43 matched unaffected individuals performed the 6MWT while kinematic data were acquired using an inertial measurement unit-based motion capture system.
primary endpoint metResults showed that people with MS exhibited significantly impaired coordination compared with unaffected individuals across most metrics from the beginning of the test.
research categoriesThese findings support multimodal coordination analysis to improve gait assessment and guide rehabilitation in MS.
comparatorSixty-five people with MS and 43 matched unaffected individuals performed the 6MWT while kinematic data were acquired using an inertial measurement unit-based motion capture system.
findingsResults showed that people with MS exhibited significantly impaired coordination compared with unaffected individuals across most metrics from the beginning of the test.
publication datePublication date: 2026-09-20
limitationsTitle: Changes in temporal and spatial gait coordination during the six‑minute walk test in people with multiple sclerosis.
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