Oxygen cost of treadmill and over-ground walking in mildly disabled persons with multiple sclerosis.

TitleOxygen cost of treadmill and over-ground walking in mildly disabled persons with multiple sclerosis.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2011
AuthorsMotl RW, Suh Y, Dlugonski D, Weikert M, Agiovlasitis S, Fernhall B, Goldman M
JournalNeurol Sci
Volume32
Issue2
Pagination255-62
Date Published2011 Apr
ISSN1590-3478
KeywordsAdolescent, Adult, Disabled Persons, Exercise Test, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Multiple Sclerosis, Oxygen Consumption, Walking, Young Adult
Abstract

Walking impairment is a ubiquitous feature of multiple sclerosis (MS) and the O(2) cost of walking might quantify this dysfunction in mild MS. This paper examined the difference in O(2) cost of walking between persons with MS who have mild disability and healthy controls and the correlation between the O(2) cost of walking and disability. Study 1 included 18 persons with mild MS and 18 controls and indicated that the O(2) cost of walking was significantly higher in MS than controls and that disability was significantly associated with the O(2) cost of slow, moderate, and fast treadmill walking. Study 2 included 24 persons with mild MS and indicated that disability was significantly correlated with O(2) cost of comfortable, fast, and slow over-ground walking. We provide evidence that the O(2) cost of walking is an indicator of walking dysfunction in mildly disabled persons with MS and should be considered in clinical research and practice.

DOI10.1007/s10072-010-0396-0
Alternate JournalNeurol. Sci.
PubMed ID20798968
PubMed Central IDPMC3148148
Grant ListK23 NS062898 / NS / NINDS NIH HHS / United States
K23 NS062898-03 / NS / NINDS NIH HHS / United States