Within-session dual-task walking practice improves gait variability in older adults with multiple sclerosis.
Manuel E Hernandez, Robert W Motl, Frederick W Foley and 3 others
PMID 40122015WHAT IT FOUND
Older adults with MS walked with more variability than healthy peers, especially when adding a mental task.
However, repeating the walking task three times in one session reduced this variability in both groups. This suggests short practice sessions can help stabilize gait.
Key findings
01Gait variability (stride velocity, stride length, and swing time) was significantly higher in older adults with MS compared to healthy older adults.
02Adding a cognitive task (reciting letters) while walking significantly increased gait variability compared to walking alone.
03Within-session practice (repeating the walk three times) significantly reduced swing time variability, particularly during the dual-task condition.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTsWhat it means for SLPs
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What it does not show
The study participants were required to walk independently and have relatively intact cognition, so results may not apply to those with more severe MS disability or cognitive impairment. The study only measured effects within a single session; it is unknown if these practice benefits last beyond the session or transfer to daily life. The clinical significance of the observed changes in variability is not established, as minimal clinically important differences for these specific measures were not available.
Declared interests
The study was supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). No other conflicts of interest were reported.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume that a single session of practice leads to long-term learning or retention. The study only measured immediate within-session changes, and the authors note that longer-term effects and clinical significance remain unknown.