Examination of the effect of lower extremity joint range of motion, while walking in multiple sclerosis patients

Objective: The aim of the study is to determine the conditions that affect walking, such as joint range of motion in the lower extremities of MS patients. Method: In our study, we evaluated 30 MS patients (50.37 ± 10.49 years; 18 women) and 30 healthy subjects (53.30±10.80 years; 23 women). After recording the demographic characteristics of both patients and healthy individuals, joint range of motion movement was measured by a goniometer. Walking was evaluated by 'MS Walking Scale-12'(MSWS-12) and 2-min Walking Test. For balance; 'Gait and Balance Assessment'(GBA) and 'Activities-Specific-Balance-Confidence' (ABC) tests were used. Quality of life is assessed by the 'Health Status Questionnaire'(SF-36) for healthy individuals and 'Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life' (MSQOL -54) for MS patients. Fatigue is determined by using 'Fatigue Severity Scale'(FSS). Results: There was no significant difference between the MS group and healthy group regarding demographic and clinical variables (p> 0.05). According to the results of correlation analysis, the noticeable difference between the two groups was in walking, balance, and confidence, quality of life, fatigue and range of motion in the lower extremities (p <0.05). In general, patients with MS were found to walk with a reduced gait speed, gait impairments and a reduced range of motion in lower extremities compared to the control group. Conclusion: Generally, walking and balance are evaluated among these patient groups. The decrease in the range of motion of the lower extremity joints affects the walking of MS patients. For this reason, joint range of motion measurements should be assessed. Key Words: Multiple sclerosis, Range of Motion, walking, lower extremities