spatial-temporal gait parameters in Charcot Marie Tooth disease

Abstract

Charcot's disease is one of the most common inherited neurological disorders. The phenotype of this disease is characterized by progressive wasting,

weakness of distal extremity muscles, and loss of deep tendon reflexes, resulting in gait abnormalities. This study aims to find the differences in the values of spatial-temporal gait parameters between a group of Charcot patients and a group of healthy people of the same age group. The study included (10) patients with an average age of (20.8 ± 7.05) years, and (20) healthy subjects with an average age of (22.85 ± 4.56) years. The spatial-temporal gait parameters were measured by the three-dimensional computerized gait analysis test in the biomechanics laboratory at the Faculty of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering at Damascus University, using six television cameras made by the Italian company (BTS Bioengineering) and two force plates made by the Swiss company (Kistler). The results of the measurements showed that there were statistically significant differences (p≤0.05) between the two study groups in most of the studied distance and time parameters, The value of speed, step length, gait cycle length and cadence were lower in Charcot's patients in ratio, (7.86%, 23.26%, 27%, 36.75%) Respectively. As for the step width, the time of the gait cycle, the double support time, and the time of the contact phase, they were higher in Charcot patients in ratio (10.71%, 22.22%, 14.93%, 18.18%) respectively. The data obtained from this study gave a quantitative description of the differences in the spatial-temporal gait parameters between Charcot's patients and healthy people, which is valuable and important used by physicists to characterize gait deformities and make the most appropriate decision for the type of treatment to be performed for these patients to avoid further joint damage and amputation. Thus, they can live a social life as close to normal as possible.