quantitative changes in gait parameters after cycling among multiple sclerosis patients with ataxia: a pilot study

Introduction: cerebellar ataxia is a common symptom of multiple sclerosis (ms),particularly in progressive forms, where gait and balance problems are the mostdebilitating symptoms. exercise training is a critical component of rehabilitationin managing equilibrium dysfunction, and stationary bicycling is a safe, feasible,and effective method to reduce the symptom. clinical walking performance tests aretypically used to assess gait in these patients. however, gait analysis technologies aremore sensitive and accurate at detecting subtle and subclinical changes. the purpose ofthis study was to determine the changes in gait parameters in ms patients with ataxic gaitafter using a stationary bicycle.materials and methods: ten secondary progressive ms patients with ataxic gait anda mean expanded disability status scale (edss) of four were recruited. the participantscycled on a stationary bike. gait analysis was performed before and after 12 sessions ofcycling. it included spatiotemporal and balance parameter measurements.results: gait analysis showed statistically significant changes in spatiotemporalparameters, including speed (p=0.02, r=-0.51), and stride length (p=0.01, r=-0.63). ofbalance-related indices, the mediolateral (ml) center of pressure (cop) displacement,anterior and posterior cop overshoot, and cop velocity changes were statisticallyremarkable after the intervention respectively. (p=0.01, r=-0.63), (p=0.02, r=-0.51),(p=0.03, r=-0.49), (p=0.01, r=-0.54).conclusion: gait analysis is applicable to track changes following rehabilitation inindividuals with ms. the results indicate that using a stationary bicycle can improvesome spatiotemporal and cop-related parameters.