Abstract Details

Title A Functional Electrical Stimulation Sleeve Improves Gait in Adults with MS: Application of Automated Gait Assessment

Topic Multiple Sclerosis

Presentation(s) P12 - Poster Session 12 (11:45 AM-12:45 PM)

Poster/Presentation
Number 1-015

Objective To evaluate the effect of a Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) sleeve on key spatiotemporal gait parameters in people with Multiple Sclerosis (PwMS) experiencing walking difficulties.

Background Impaired gait function, present in over 85% of PwMS, is a major cause of disability, contributing to falls and decreased independence and quality of life. FES, an active assistive technology, offers advantages over passive orthoses by stimulating key muscles to restore natural gait patterns. FES sleeves worn on the leg are commercially available to alleviate foot drop, a weakness of ankle dorsiflexion common in MS. To date, their impact on gait parameters remain understudied.

Design/Methods In this single-session, feasibility study, 20 adult PwMS with manual muscle test scores 1-4/5 for ankle dorsiflexion were enrolled. Participants walked on an instrumented walkway (Zeno) at comfortable and fast speeds, with and without the wearable FES sleeve (Cionic). Key spatiotemporal gait metrics corresponding to stability and speed were extracted. Patient-reported experiences with FES use were gathered using a validated usability framework.

Results With FES use, improvements were noted in gait stability, as measured by stride width variability during fast (median % improvement =12.4 IQR =-9.7, 38.8) and comfortable (median % =16.9 IQR =-1.8, 29.5) walking. Cadence (steps/min) also improved during preferred (median% 9.9. IQR -10.2, 25.9) and fast (median% 3.3. IQR -5.3, 11.3) walking. Over 50% participants reported subjective improvement in gait function; one reported carryover improvement with stair climbing 2 hours after removing the FES. All (100%) participants agreed that FES would positively impact quality of life for PwMS; 86% found it easy to use.

Conclusions In this feasibility study, immediate improvements were noted in gait stability with use of a wearable FES sleeve; acceptability and usability were high. Longer-term trials are needed to explore sustained effects and further optimize the application and accessibility of FES for gait rehabilitation in MS.

Authors/Disclosures
Shane Poole (UCSF) PRESENTER	Shane Poole has nothing to disclose.
Valerie A. Block, DPTSc (University of California, San Francisco)	Dr. Block has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Roche. The institution of Dr. Block has received research support from National MS Society.
Nikki Sisodia (University of California San Francisco)	Nikki Sisodia has nothing to disclose.
Kyra Henderson (UCSF)	Kyra Henderson has nothing to disclose.
Riley Bove, MD, FAAN (University of California, San Francisco)	Dr. Bove has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving as a Consultant for Alexion. Dr. Bove has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving as a Consultant for Amgen. Dr. Bove has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving as a Consultant for Genzyme-Sanofi. Dr. Bove has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving as a Consultant for TG Therapeutics. Dr. Bove has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving as a Consultant for EMD-Serono. Dr. Bove has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for Cadenza. The institution of Dr. Bove has received research support from Biogen. The institution of Dr. Bove has received research support from Eli Lilly. The institution of Dr. Bove has received research support from Novartis. The institution of Dr. Bove has received research support from Roche Genentech.

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