Main Article

Fatigue leads to gait changes in spinal muscular atrophy†

  1. Jacqueline Montes PT, MA1,*,
  2. Sally Dunaway PT, DPT1,
  3. Megan J. Montgomery BS1,
  4. Douglas Sproule MD1,
  5. Petra Kaufmann MD1,
  6. Darryl C. De Vivo MD1,
  7. Ashwini K. Rao OTR, EdD2

Article first published online: 14 MAR 2011

DOI: 10.1002/mus.21917

Issue

Muscle & Nerve

Muscle & Nerve

Volume 43, Issue 4, pages 485–488, April 2011

Additional Information

How to Cite

Montes, J., Dunaway, S., Montgomery, M. J., Sproule, D., Kaufmann, P., De Vivo, D. C. and Rao, A. K. (2011), Fatigue leads to gait changes in spinal muscular atrophy. Muscle & Nerve, 43: 485–488. doi: 10.1002/mus.21917

Author Information

  1. 1

    Department of Neurology, Columbia University Medical Center, 180 Ft. Washington Avenue, Fifth Floor, New York, New York 10032, USA

  2. 2

    Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York, USA

*Department of Neurology, Columbia University Medical Center, 180 Ft. Washington Avenue, Fifth Floor,New York, New York 10032, USA

  1. †

    Disclosure: This report pertains to Dr. Kaufmann's work at Columbia University, and should not be understood as the opinion or position of the National Institutes of Health or its affiliates.

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 14 MAR 2011
  2. Article first published online: 14 MAR 2011
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 13 SEP 2010

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Keywords:

  • fatigue;
  • gait;
  • outcome measure;
  • spinal muscular atrophy;
  • 6-minute walk test

Abstract

Introduction: Impaired mobility and fatigue are common in ambulatory spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) patients. The 6-minute walk test (6MWT) is a reliable measure of fatigue in SMA patients. To further evaluate fatigue, we used quantitative gait analysis during the 6MWT. Methods: Nine subjects with SMA and 9 age- and gender-matched, healthy controls were evaluated. Gait parameters of speed and dynamic balance were correlated with 6MWT distance. Performance during the first and last 25 meters of the 6MWT was compared. Results: Speed-related gait parameters and support base correlated with 6MWT distance. Walking performance was worse for SMA patients. The deterioration in stride length during the 6MWT was greater in SMA patients than in controls. Conclusions: Gait analysis detects fatigue, and the decrement in stride length may reflect selective muscle involvement in SMA. Further understanding of the mechanisms underlying fatigue may suggest additional targets for future therapeutic interventions. Muscle Nerve, 2010

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