Interventions improve gait regularity in patients with peripheral neuropathy while walking on an irregular surface under low light.

Richardson, JK; Thies, S; DeMott, TK; Ashton-Miller, JA

Abstract

Objectives:

To determine which, if any, of three inexpensive interventions improve gait regularity in patients with peripheral neuropathy (PN) while walking on an irregular surface under low-light conditions. Design:

Observational. Setting:

University of Michigan Biomechanics Research Laboratory. Participants:

Forty-two patients with PN (20 women), mean age±standard deviation=64.5±9.7. Interventions:

A straight cane, touch of a vertical surface, or semirigid ankle orthoses. Measurements:

Step-width variability and range, step-time variability, and speed. Results:

Subjects demonstrated significantly less step-width variability (mean=41.0±1.5, 36.9±1.6, 37.2±1.3, and 35.9±1.5?mm for baseline, cane, orthoses, and vertical surface, respectively; P<.0001) and range (182.7±7.4, 163.7±8.3, 164.3±7.4, 154.3±6.9?mm for baseline, cane, orthoses and vertical surface, respectively; P=.0006) with each of the interventions than under baseline conditions. Step-time variability significantly decreased with use of the orthoses and vertical surface but not the cane (P=.0001). Use of a cane, but not orthoses or vertical surface, was associated with decreased speed (0.79±0.03, 0.73±0.03, 0.79±0.03, 0.80±0.03 m/s for baseline, cane, orthoses, and vertical surface, respectively; P=.0001). Conclusion:

Older patients with PN demonstrate improved spatial and temporal measures of gait regularity with the use of a cane, ankle orthoses, or touch of a vertical surface while walking under challenging conditions. The decreased speed and stigma associated with the cane and uncertain availability of a vertical surface suggest that the ankle orthoses may be the most practical intervention.

Keywords: neuropathy; gait; balance; orthoses; assistive device

Citation

Richardson, J., Thies, S., DeMott, T., & Ashton-Miller, J. (2004). Interventions improve gait regularity in patients with peripheral neuropathy while walking on an irregular surface under low light. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 52(4), 510-515. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1532-5415.2004.52155.x

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Apr 1, 2004
• Deposit Date: Aug 9, 2007
• Journal: Journal of the American Geriatrics Society
• Print ISSN: 0002-8614
• Publisher: Wiley
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 52
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 510-515
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1532-5415.2004.52155.x