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An alternative method suggested to assess changes in walking in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) is evaluating gait variability. This is a credible option since gait variability reflects to some degree the quality of gait control.

Examine the impact of disability on gait variability in PwMS.

In this cross-sectional study, the data pool was divided into seven levels of disability based on the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score, ranging from 0 to 6.5. Gait variability was studied using an electronic mat.

The final analysis included 381 PwMS (249 women); mean age 44.0 years. Non-significant differences were observed between the EDSS subgroups at the lower end of the spectrum (EDSS 0–3.5) in all gait variability parameters. In contrast, PwMS in the EDSS 5.0–5.5 group demonstrated a significant increase in variability of step length (~ 151%), single support (~ 93%) and …