Experience-based functional gains in gait and stability with torso-weighting in people with multiple sclerosis: Randomized pilot study

BACKGROUND: Balance-based torso-weighting has improved gait and balance performance in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) in a single session with torso-weights on, demonstrating an orthotic effect. Daily use of torso-weighting may promote motor learning and more enduring therapeutic effects but has not yet been studied. PURPOSE: Confirm orthotic effects and compare therapeutic effects of daily torso-weighting versus shape/sham-weighting or no weighting. We hypothesized that daily torso-weighting would result in positive effects on gait and balance, tested without weights. METHODS: Five participants with MS experienced three conditions for 2-4 weeks each: no weights first, then double-blinded randomization to torso-weighting or shape-weighting first then cross-over to the alternate condition. Personalized torso-weighting on a vest-like garment countered individual reactive balance responses following manual perturbations. Postural sway recorded orthotic effects with/without torso-weights while standing on a force plate with eyes open/closed. Clinical measures recorded therapeutic effects while unweighted: gait parameters, 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT), and Sensory Organization Test (SOT). Weighting conditions were compared using paired t-tests with one-tailed alpha at 0.05. RESULTS: Postural sway decreased significantly with torso-weights. Cadence and step width improved significantly after torso-weighting versus shape-weight periods. Average gait parameters showed no improvement after shape-weight periods. Velocity, 6MWT, and SOT tended to improve with torso-weighting, averaging improvements of +15%,+16%, and +13.8%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Findings support both orthotic and therapeutic effects of torso-weighting. Daily use of torso-weights for multiple weeks may promote motor learning of gait parameters and balance. Further research is warranted to examine sensory augmentation as a potential mechanism.