Cognitive-motor dual task to reveal gait impairments in multiple sclerosis patients at an early stage: A systematic review.

Background: Multiple sclerosis can cause locomotor and cognitive impairments even at lower levels of disability, which can impact daily life. The cognitive-motor dual task is commonly used to assess everyday locomotion. Thus, this study aimed to examine the effect of cognitive-motor dual tasks on gait parameters among patients with multiple sclerosis in the early disease stages and to determine whether dual tasks could be used as a clinical test to detect locomotion impairments.

Center of pressure palindromes reveals a wobbling standing balance in scoliotic girls.

Background: This study characterized the center of pressure planar displacement by palindromic strings. The objective is to test if the center of pressure pathway of able-bodied girls and those with a moderate and severe scoliosis displayed similar palindromic tendencies.

Methods: The center of pressure excursions of 21 able-bodied girls were compared to 14 girls with a moderate scoliosis and 14 girls with severe one.

Kinetic adaptations of the intact limb in transfemoral amputees using a microprocessor prosthetic knee.

Background: In recent decades, high-tech prostheses, including microprocessor-controlled knee (MPK), have been developed to improve the functional abilities of lower limb amputees and to reduce gait asymmetry for the prevention of early joint degradation of the intact limb. The aim of this study was to determine the differences in joint moment and power of the intact limb of transfemoral amputees (TFAs) with an MPK compared to healthy individuals in 2 walking speed conditions.

Methods: Twenty-one TFAs with MPK and matched 21 healthy individuals performed a walking task at spontaneous and rapid self-selected speeds.

Transfemoral amputees adapt their gait during cross-slope walking with specific upper-lower limb coordination.

Background: Unilateral lower limb amputees have asymmetrical gaits, particularly on irregular surfaces and slopes. It is unclear how coordination between arms and legs can adapt during cross-slope walking.

Research Question: How do transfemoral amputees (TFAs) adapt their upper-lower limb coordination on cross-slope surfaces?

Methods: Twenty TFA and 20 healthy adults (Ctrl) performed a three-dimensional gait analysis in 2 walking conditions: level ground and cross-slope with prosthesis uphill.