Spatiotemporal parameters and gait variability in people with psoriatic arthritis (PsA): a cross‐sectional study

Abstract

Background Foot involvement is a major manifestation of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and can lead to severe levels of foot pain and disability and impaired functional mobility and quality of life. Gait spatiotemporal parameters (STPs) and gait variability, used as a clinical index of gait stability, have been associated with several adverse health outcomes, including risk of falling, functional decline, and mortality in a wide range of populations. Previous studies showed some alterations in STPs in people with PsA. However, gait variability and the relationships between STPs, gait variability and self-reported foot pain and disability have never been studied in these populations. Body-worn inertial measurement units (IMUs) are gaining interest in measuring gait parameters in clinical settings. Objectives To assess STPs and gait variability in people with PsA using IMUs, to explore their relationship with self-reported foot pain and function and to investigate the feasibility of using IMUs to discriminate patient groups based on gait speed-critical values. Methods Twenty-one participants with PsA (age: 53.9 ± 8.9 yrs.; median disease duration: 6 yrs) and 21 age- and sex-matched healthy participants (age 54.23 ± 9.3 yrs) were recruited. All the participants performed three 10-m walk test trials at their comfortable speed. STPs and gait variability were recorded and calculated using six body-worn IMUs and Mobility Lab software (APDM®). Foot pain and disability were assessed in participants with PsA using the foot function index (FFI). Results Cadence, gait speed, stride length, and swing phase were significantly lower, while double support was significantly higher, in the PsA group (p < 0.006). Strong correlations between STPs and the FFI total score were demonstrated (|r| > 0.57, p < 0.006). Gait variability was significantly increased in the PsA group, but it was not correlated with foot pain or function (p < 0.006). Using the IMUs, three subgroups of participants with PsA with clinically meaningful differences in self-reported foot pain and disability were discriminated. Conclusion STPs were significantly altered in participants with PsA, which could be associated with self-reported foot pain and disability. Future studies are required to confirm the increased gait variability highlighted in this study and its potential underlying causes. Using IMUs has been useful to objectively assess foot function in people with PsA. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT05075343, Retrospectively registered on 29 September 2021.

Disabling foot pain and its impact on daily living among people with Psoriatic Arthritis in Singapore: A cross-sectional observational investigation

“…Enthesitis is a hallmark and pathognomonic feature of PsA, and has been shown to be largely persistent and non-responsive to standard pharmacological treatment regimens [56], perhaps explaining the higher frequency of rearfoot involvement and foot-related disability in the current study. This nding supports a growing body of evidence in PsA linking foot pain and disease manifestations in the foot with altered patterns of gait and related disability such as reduced walking speed, inconsistent foot loading patterns and increased gait variability [9,10,12,13,57]. Published studies suggest that rearfoot enthesitis is associated with a higher burden of disease and worse functional outcomes in comparison with those who do not have enthesitis [10].…”

The spatiotemporal gait parameters among people with visual impairment: A literature review study

“…Gait STPs that are used to predict the degree of disability have been associated with several adverse health outcomes, including the risk of falling, functional decline, and mortality in a wide range of populations. [ 4 , 26 , 27 ] Studies show that improving STPs can be considered a factor for increased balance, movement efficiency, and quality of life. [ 28 , 29 ] Therefore, by emphasizing these parameters in rehabilitation, it is possible to improve the walking of blind people.…”

Walking Performance during Concurrent Cognitive and Motor Tasks in Individuals with Nonspecific Chronic Low Back Pain: A Case-Control Study

“…One reason for this may have been that individuals with NSCLBP restrict their spine movements to reduce pain, which leads to a decrease in walking speed. Moreover, increased double support time and decreased swing time may indicate an adaptive strategy of individuals with NSCLBP to reduce pain and increase stability during walking ( 26 ).…”