Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease of the central nervous system that has a large range of symptoms. It has been found that 73% of the people with chronic MS had spasticity of the lower extremities (Bauer, 1993). Their pathologic gait has been characterized as having shorter stride lengths, slower free speed walking rates, higher cadence, and greater trunk lean than the gait of people without MS (Gehlsen, et al., 1986). In this study, the effects of MS on walking rate and body posture were investigated. These gait disturbances can impede the everyday activities that are necessary for self-sufficiency.
Our purpose was to assess the magnitude of the predicted differences. The hip angle and trunk position were analyzed during spastic gait and the gait of a normal subject to determine the difference in body posture. Walking rate was measured by the length of one gait cycle in relation to the time to complete the cycle.