title: Plantarflexor weakness negatively impacts walking in persons with multiple sclerosis more than plantarflexor spasticity.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine whether plantarflexor (PF) spasticity or ankle strength best predicts variance in walking capacity or self-perceived limitations in walking in persons with multiple sclerosis (MS) and whether persons with MS with PF spasticity are weaker and have greater walking dysfunction than do persons with MS without PF spasticity.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional study.
  
  
  METHODS
  University research laboratory.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-two adults with MS (mean age, 42.9±10.1y; Expanded Disability Status Scale score, median=3.0, range=0-6) and 14 adults without disability (mean age, 41.9±10.1y).
  
  
  METHODS
  Not applicable.
  
  
  METHODS
  PF spasticity and dorsiflexion and PF maximum voluntary isometric torque were assessed using the modified Ashworth Scale and a computerized dynamometer, respectively. The Timed 25-Foot Walk Test was the primary outcome measure of walking capacity. Secondary measures included the 6-Minute Walk Test and the 12-item Multiple Sclerosis Walking Scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  PF strength was the most consistent predictor of variance in walking capacity (Timed 25-Foot Walk Test: R(2) change=.23-.29, P≤.001; 6-Minute Walk Test: R(2) change=.12-.29, P≤.012), and self-perceived limitations of walking (12-item Multiple Sclerosis Walking Scale: R(2) change=.04-.14, P<.18). There were no significant differences (P>.05) between persons with MS with PF spasticity and persons with MS without PF spasticity for any of the outcome measures.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study suggests a unique contribution of PF weakness to walking dysfunction in persons with MS, and highlights the importance of evaluating PF strength in this clinical population.
authors.affiliation: Program in Physical Therapy, Department of Physical Therapy and Athletic Training, Doisy College of Health Sciences, Saint Louis University, St Louis, MO. Electronic address: jwagne34@slu.edu.
authors.forename: Joanne M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Wagner
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, Saint Louis University, St Louis, MO.
authors.forename: Theodore R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Kremer
authors.affiliation: Program in Physical Therapy, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO.
authors.forename: Linda R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Van Dillen
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO.
authors.forename: Robert T
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Naismith
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000843:Ankle Joint / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005528:Foot / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D009128:Muscle Spasticity; D053580:Muscle Strength; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: Ankle; Multiple sclerosis; Muscle spasticity; Muscle strength dynamometer; Rehabilitation; Walking