Browsing by Person "Scott, S. M."

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Gait kinematics of people with Multiple Sclerosis and the acute application of Functional Electrical Stimulation
(Elsevier, 2014-04) van der Linden, Marietta; Scott, S. M.; Hooper, Julie; Cowan, P.; Mercer, Tom
This study aimed to (i) compare the gait characteristics of people with Multiple Sclerosis (pwMS) to those of healthy controls walking at the same average speed, and (ii) assess the effects of the acute application of Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) to the dorsiflexors. Twenty-two people with pwMS (mean age 49 years), prescribed FES, and 11 age matched healthy controls participated. Three dimensional gait kinematics were assessed whilst (i) pwMS and healthy controls walked at self-selected speeds (ssws), (ii) Healthy controls also walked at the average walking speed of the pwMS group, and (iii) people with MS walked using FES. Compared to healthy controls walking at their ssws, pwMS walked slower and showed differences in nearly all gait characteristics (p<0.001). Compared to healthy controls walking at the same average speed, pwMS still exhibited significantly shorter stride length (p=0.007), reduced dorsiflexion at initial contact (p=0.002), reduced plantar flexion at terminal stance (p=0.008) and reduced knee flexion in swing (p=0.002). However, no significant differences were seen between groups in double support duration (p=0.617), or hip range of motion (p=0.291). Acute application of FES resulted in a shift towards more normal gait characteristics, except for plantar flexion at terminal stance which decreased. In conclusion, compared to healthy controls, pwMS exhibit impairment of several gait characteristics that appear to be independent of the slower walking speed of pwMS. The acute application of FES improved most impaired gait kinematics. A speed matched control group is warranted in future studies of gait kinematics of pwMS.
Quantification of gait kinematics and walking ability of people with multiple sclerosis who are new users of functional electrical stimulation
(Taylor & Francis, 2013-03) Scott, S. M.; van der Linden, Marietta; Hooper, Julie; Cowan, P.; Mercer, Tom
Objective: To assess whether the application of Functional Electrical Stimulation improves gait kinematics and walking ability in people with multiple sclerosis who experience foot drop. Design: Acute open labelled comparative observation trial. Participants: Twelve people (3 females, 9 males, EDSS 2-4) with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (47.8 years (standard deviation 6.6)) who were new users of functional electrical stimulation. Methods: Gait kinematics were recorded using 3D gait analysis. Walking ability was assessed through the 10-m walk test and the 6-min walk test. All assessments were performed with and without the assistance of functional electrical stimulation. The effect of functional electrical stimulation was analysed using paired t-tests. Results: Ankle dorsiflexion at initial contact (p-=-0.026), knee flexion at initial contact (p-=-0.044) and peak knee flexion during swing (p-=-0.011) were significantly greater whilst walking with Functional Electrical Stimulation. The increased peak dorsiflexion in swing of nearly 4 degrees during functional electrical stimulation assisted walking approached significance (p-=-0.069). The 10-m walk time was significantly improved by functional electrical stimulation (p-=-0.004) but the 6 min walk test was not. Conclusion: The acute application of functional electrical stimulation resulted in an orthotic effect through a change in ankle and knee kinematics and increased walking speed over a short distance in people with multiple sclerosis who experience foot drop