Examination of Proprioceptive Reliance During Backward Walking in Individuals With Multiple Sclerosis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Slowed somatosensory conduction in multiple sclerosis (MS) increases postural instability and decreases proprioception. Despite these delays, individuals with MS rely more on proprioception for balance compared to controls. This heightened reliance, combined with slowed signal transduction, increases fall risk. Backward walking (BW) increases proprioceptive reliance by reducing visual cues. However, no study has conclusively linked proprioception to BW. This study aims to assess proprioception's role in BW compared to forward walking (FW) in MS and to compare differences in proprioception between MS fallers and non-fallers.

Methods

Fifty participants (average age: 50.34 ± 11.84, median Patient Determined Disease Steps [PDDS]: 2) completed the study. Participants c

SUBMITTER: VanNostrand M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12404236 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature