Walking Fatigability,Saptiotemporal Gait Parameters and Falling in MS Patients (WF-GAIT-FALL)

Influance of Walking Fatigability on Spatiotemporal Gait Parameters and Risk of Falling in Patients With Multiple Scalerosis

This observational study aims to investigate the relationship between walking fatigability, changes in spatiotemporal gait parameters, and risk of falling in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS). Participants will be divided into two groups: those with walking fatigability and those without.

Each participant will undergo functional tests to detect deterioration in patiotemoral gait parameters and risk of falling .

The results of this study will help understand how walking fatigability affects gait and fall risk in MS, providing insights for rehabilitation strategies.

Study Overview

• Status: Not yet recruiting
• Conditions: Multiple Sclerosis

Detailed Description

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurological disease that often affects mobility, balance, and endurance. Walking fatigability, defined as a decline in walking performance over time, is a common problem in individuals with MS and may increase the risk of falls. Understanding how walking fatigability influences gait patterns and fall risk is essential for designing targeted rehabilitation strategies.

This observational study aims to investigate the relationship between walking fatigability, spatiotemporal gait parameters, and fall risk in individuals with MS. Participants will be recruited from Alexandria University Hospital and will be divided into two groups based on the presence or absence of walking fatigability. Inclusion criteria include confirmed MS diagnosis, ability to walk independently, and willingness to provide informed consent. Exclusion criteria include acute MS relapse, comorbid conditions affecting gait, or cognitive impairment that prevents safe participation.

Participants will undergo 6-Minute Walk Test to assess walking performance, and gait parameters such as step length and double time support.and gait speed will be recorded. Fall risk will be evaluated using a Timed Up and Go (TUG) test and The Falls Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I).

Data will be analyzed to compare gait changes and fall risk between the two groups. Correlations between walking fatigability and specific gait parameters will be explored to identify patterns associated with higher fall risk. The findings of this study are expected to inform clinical decision-making and rehabilitation approaches, contributing to safer and more effective mobility management for individuals with MS.

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Estimated): 62

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Ibrahim Ahmed Elmongy; Phone Number: +201061029866; Email: ibrahem.abm1@gmail.com

Study Locations

• Egypt
  • Alexandria, Egypt
    • multiple sclerosis specialized clinic in the Neurology department, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University.
    • Contact: multiple sclerosis specialized clinic, Neurology department Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University; Phone Number: +201 032 618 685; Email: Eman.ameen@alexmed.edu.eg
    • Principal Investigator: Ibrahim Ahmed Elmongy, bacholar

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Sixty-two RRMS will be recruited in this study from multiple sclerosis specialized clinic in the Neurology department, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University. The patients will be diagnosed and referred to by a neurologist participants aged from 20 to 40 years with a confirmed diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (based on McDonald criteria). Ambulatory for at least 6 minutes, without the use of assistive devices.EDSS score between 2.0 and 5.0.no relapse within 1 month prior to participation

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Sixty-two RRMS patients from both sexes.
• Aged from 20 to 40 years with a confirmed diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (based on McDonald criteria).
• Ambulatory for at least 6 minutes, without the use of assistive devices.
• EDSS score between 2.0 and 5.0.
• no relapse within 1 month prior to participation

Exclusion Criteria:

• The presence of other neurological or orthopaedic conditions that could affect gait or balance.
• Severe cognitive impairment (as determined by clinical history or physician report).
• Active MS relapses or corticosteroid treatment within the last 30 days.
• Visual or vestibular impairments that significantly interfere with gait or postural control.
• Diabetic patients will be excluded as this will interfere with balance.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Number of groups / cohorts

2

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
G1: fatiged patients; patients with Multiple Sclerosis showing walking fatigability. They underwent spatiotemporal gait assessment and fatigability testing
G2: non fatiged patients; patients with Multiple Sclerosis without walking fatigability. They underwent spatiotemporal gait assessment and fatigability testing

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Distance walking index	measurd as a decline in walking distance between first and last minute more than 10%	Baseline
Spatiotemporal Gait Parameters	includes step length in meter(m) , gait velocity in meter per secound(m/s) and double time support in secounds(s) measured using gait analysis tool ( kinovea software)	Baseline
Risk of Falling	Assessed using fall efficacy scale- international and timed up and go test measured in secounds(s)	Baseline
precived fatigue	assessed by modified fatigue impact scale	Baseline

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Ibrahim Ahmad Elmongy
• Collaborators: Horus University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Estimated): April 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): July 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): July 1, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: March 30, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 5, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): April 13, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): April 13, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 5, 2026
• Last Verified: April 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: MS; risk of falling; gait parameters; walking fatigability
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Nervous System Diseases; Autoimmune Diseases; Immune System Diseases; Demyelinating Autoimmune Diseases, CNS; Autoimmune Diseases of the Nervous System; Demyelinating Diseases; Multiple Sclerosis
• Other Study ID Numbers: MS-WF-GAIT-FALL-2026; P.T.REC/012/006167 (Registry Identifier: cairo university)

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No