Investigation of plantar pressure changes during dual task in individuals with multiple sclerosis: A case-control study

ABSTRACT Investigation of Plantar Pressure Changes During Dual Task in Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis: A Case-Control Study Aim: The aim of this study was to examine the static and dynamic plantar pressure distributions of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) patients under single and dual task conditions and to compare the plantar pressure changes with healthy individuals. Materials and Methods: Static and dynamic plantar pressure analyses were performed with a total of 89 individuals, 44 MS patients and 45 healthy individuals who met the inclusion criteria. Both groups were evaluated under single task (only walking and standing) and motor-motor and cognitive-motor dual task conditions. In the motor-motor task, they carried two glasses filled with water on a tray; in the cognitive-motor task, they produced words from given letters. Data were collected using the baropodometric system during stable stance and walking. Results: In the static plantar pressure comparisons between the groups; forefoot pressure was higher in the MS group compared to the healthy group during the single task (p <0.05). In dual tasks (cognitive-motor and motor-motor), significant differences were observed between the groups in the front, back and total foot regions (p <0.05). In the dynamic plantar pressure analysis, no statistically significant difference was observed between the tasks in both groups (p>0.05). However, when the groups were compared, significant differences were detected in the static plantar pressure distribution and dynamic impulse and surface area parameters in the front and back foot regions depending on the task type (p<0.05). Conclusion: This study has shown that static plantar pressure may be distributed differently in MS patients compared to healthy individuals depending on the task type. During motor-motor and cognitive-motor dual tasks, front, back and total foot static plantar pressure values exhibited different distributions between the groups. In dynamic plantar pressure, different distributions were observed between the MS and healthy control groups in the front and back foot impulse and contact area values depending on the task type. It is observed that dynamic plantar pressure distribution may be affected in MS patients depending on the task type compared to healthy individuals. Keywords: Cognitive Function, Plantar Pressure, Motor Skills, Multiple Sclerosis, Gait