Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2024 Dec 1;48(6):672-676.
doi: 10.1097/PXR.0000000000000299. Epub 2023 Nov 22.

Objective and subjective evaluation of walking ability with and without the use of a passive brace for hip flexor muscles in individuals with multiple sclerosis

Valeria Prada  1 , Erica Grange  2 , Caterina Sgarito  3 , Elisabetta Pedrazzoli  4 , Giovanna Konrad  3 , Rachele Di Giovanni  2 , Giampaolo Brichetto  1 , Claudio Solaro  2
Affiliations

Objective and subjective evaluation of walking ability with and without the use of a passive brace for hip flexor muscles in individuals with multiple sclerosis

Valeria Prada et al. Prosthet Orthot Int. .

Abstract

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) affects the cognitive and motor domains. Muscle weakness often leads to abnormal gait. Several solutions are rising, including the use of passive exoskeletons.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of a first-ever use of a passive exoskeleton on walking ability in people with MS.

Methods: We recruited 50 persons with MS. All subjects were assessed using the 2-min walking test, the timed 25-foot walk test, and a two-stage rate of perceived exertion (RPE) without the exoskeleton (T0) and with the exoskeleton (T1).

Results: The data showed a significant decrease in walking endurance while the exoskeleton is worn (2-min walking test: T0: 65.19 ± 23.37 m; T1: 59.40 ± 22.99; p < 0.0001) and a not significant difference in walking speed on a shortened distance (T0: 15.71 ± 10.30 s; T1: 15.73 ± 11.86 s; p = 0.25). No significant differences were also found for the effort perception scale (RPE: T0: 13.24 ± 3.01; T1: 13.60 ± 2.9; p = 0.3). Seventy-two percent of subjects reported a positive or neutral global perceived effect.

Conclusions: The exoskeleton does not add any fatiguing or negative effects. Although the walking performance decreases, the overall perception of the subjects is positive. Further studies are needed to evaluate the effect of the exoskeleton on gait quality.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

    1. Klineova S, Lublin FD. Clinical course of multiple sclerosis. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med 2018;8:028928.
    1. Edwards T, Pilutti LA. The effect of exercise training in adults with multiple sclerosis with severe mobility disability: a systematic review and future research directions. Mult Scler Relat Disord 2017;16:31–39.
    1. Larocca NG. Impact of walking impairment in multiple sclerosis perspectives of patients and care partners. Patient 2011;4:189–201.
    1. Zwibel HL. Contribution of impaired mobility and general symptoms to the burden of multiple sclerosis. Adv Ther 2009;26:1043–1057.
    1. Sandroff BM, Motl RW, Scudder MR, et al. Systematic, evidence-based review of exercise, physical activity, and physical fitness effects on cognition in persons with multiple sclerosis. Neuropsychol Rev 2016;26:271–294.

LinkOut - more resources