Trekking Poles to Aid Multiple Sclerosis Walking Impairment: An Exploratory Comparison of the Effects of Assistive Devices on Psychosocial Impact and Walking

Evan T. Cohen; Sara Huser; Kathleen Barone; Donald A. Barone

doi:10.7224/1537-2073.2020-064

Trekking Poles to Aid Multiple Sclerosis Walking Impairment: An Exploratory Comparison of the Effects of Assistive Devices on Psychosocial Impact and Walking

Evan T. Cohen
, Sara Huser
, Kathleen Barone
, Donald A. Barone

School of Health Professions, Physical Therapy

Rutgers, The State University

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

Background: Walking dysfunction is reported by two-thirds of persons with multiple sclerosis (MS). Assistive devices are frequently recommended to improve walking; however, it is uncommon to consider their psychosocial impact, although many users abandon their assistive devices. The psychosocial impact, walking, balance, and fatigue associated with three assistive devices were compared to guide clinical decision making. Methods: Twenty-five persons with MS (median Expanded Disability Status Scale score, 4.0; range, 2.5-6.0) who reported walking difficulty were trained in the use of three assistive devices—a singlepoint cane (SPC), a four-point cane (FPC), and a trekking pole (TP)—at 1- to 2-week intervals, then used the assistive device for their usual activities. Outcome measures included the Psychosocial Impact of Assistive Devices Scale (PIADS), the 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT), walking speed, cadence, stride length, stride time, the 12-item Multiple Sclerosis Walking Scale (MSWS-12), the Activities-specific Balance Confidence (ABC) scale, the 5-item Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS-5), and a visual analogue scale of fatigue (VAS-F). Results: The SPC and TP were more positive in the PIADS adaptability, competence, and selfesteem subscales. The SPC and TP resulted in higher 6MWT, walking speed, cadence, stride length, stride time, and MSWS-12 scores compared with the FPC. No differences were found in ABC scale, MFIS-5, or VAS-F scores. Conclusions: Participants reported more positive psychosocial impact, and walked faster and with higher quality, with the SPC and TP than with the FPC. Clinicians should consider suggesting an SPC or TP to patients who may benefit from assistive device use and for whom psychosocial impact is an important consideration. Int J MS Care. 2021;23:135-141.

Original language	American English
Pages (from-to)	135-141
Number of pages	7
Journal	International Journal of MS Care
Volume	23
Issue number	3
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.7224/1537-2073.2020-064
State	Published - May 2021

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Clinical Neurology
Advanced and Specialized Nursing

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10.7224/1537-2073.2020-064

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@article{55caf97c992443f7a933131975eed770,

title = "Trekking Poles to Aid Multiple Sclerosis Walking Impairment: An Exploratory Comparison of the Effects of Assistive Devices on Psychosocial Impact and Walking",

abstract = "Background: Walking dysfunction is reported by two-thirds of persons with multiple sclerosis (MS). Assistive devices are frequently recommended to improve walking; however, it is uncommon to consider their psychosocial impact, although many users abandon their assistive devices. The psychosocial impact, walking, balance, and fatigue associated with three assistive devices were compared to guide clinical decision making. Methods: Twenty-five persons with MS (median Expanded Disability Status Scale score, 4.0; range, 2.5-6.0) who reported walking difficulty were trained in the use of three assistive devices—a singlepoint cane (SPC), a four-point cane (FPC), and a trekking pole (TP)—at 1- to 2-week intervals, then used the assistive device for their usual activities. Outcome measures included the Psychosocial Impact of Assistive Devices Scale (PIADS), the 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT), walking speed, cadence, stride length, stride time, the 12-item Multiple Sclerosis Walking Scale (MSWS-12), the Activities-specific Balance Confidence (ABC) scale, the 5-item Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS-5), and a visual analogue scale of fatigue (VAS-F). Results: The SPC and TP were more positive in the PIADS adaptability, competence, and selfesteem subscales. The SPC and TP resulted in higher 6MWT, walking speed, cadence, stride length, stride time, and MSWS-12 scores compared with the FPC. No differences were found in ABC scale, MFIS-5, or VAS-F scores. Conclusions: Participants reported more positive psychosocial impact, and walked faster and with higher quality, with the SPC and TP than with the FPC. Clinicians should consider suggesting an SPC or TP to patients who may benefit from assistive device use and for whom psychosocial impact is an important consideration. Int J MS Care. 2021;23:135-141.",

author = "Cohen, \{Evan T.\} and Sara Huser and Kathleen Barone and Barone, \{Donald A.\}",

note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2021 Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers",

year = "2021",

month = may,

doi = "10.7224/1537-2073.2020-064",

language = "American English",

volume = "23",

pages = "135--141",

journal = "International Journal of MS Care",

issn = "1537-2073",

publisher = "Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis",

number = "3",

}

TY - JOUR

T1 - Trekking Poles to Aid Multiple Sclerosis Walking Impairment

T2 - An Exploratory Comparison of the Effects of Assistive Devices on Psychosocial Impact and Walking

AU - Cohen, Evan T.

AU - Huser, Sara

AU - Barone, Kathleen

AU - Barone, Donald A.

PY - 2021/5

Y1 - 2021/5

N2 - Background: Walking dysfunction is reported by two-thirds of persons with multiple sclerosis (MS). Assistive devices are frequently recommended to improve walking; however, it is uncommon to consider their psychosocial impact, although many users abandon their assistive devices. The psychosocial impact, walking, balance, and fatigue associated with three assistive devices were compared to guide clinical decision making. Methods: Twenty-five persons with MS (median Expanded Disability Status Scale score, 4.0; range, 2.5-6.0) who reported walking difficulty were trained in the use of three assistive devices—a singlepoint cane (SPC), a four-point cane (FPC), and a trekking pole (TP)—at 1- to 2-week intervals, then used the assistive device for their usual activities. Outcome measures included the Psychosocial Impact of Assistive Devices Scale (PIADS), the 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT), walking speed, cadence, stride length, stride time, the 12-item Multiple Sclerosis Walking Scale (MSWS-12), the Activities-specific Balance Confidence (ABC) scale, the 5-item Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS-5), and a visual analogue scale of fatigue (VAS-F). Results: The SPC and TP were more positive in the PIADS adaptability, competence, and selfesteem subscales. The SPC and TP resulted in higher 6MWT, walking speed, cadence, stride length, stride time, and MSWS-12 scores compared with the FPC. No differences were found in ABC scale, MFIS-5, or VAS-F scores. Conclusions: Participants reported more positive psychosocial impact, and walked faster and with higher quality, with the SPC and TP than with the FPC. Clinicians should consider suggesting an SPC or TP to patients who may benefit from assistive device use and for whom psychosocial impact is an important consideration. Int J MS Care. 2021;23:135-141.

AB - Background: Walking dysfunction is reported by two-thirds of persons with multiple sclerosis (MS). Assistive devices are frequently recommended to improve walking; however, it is uncommon to consider their psychosocial impact, although many users abandon their assistive devices. The psychosocial impact, walking, balance, and fatigue associated with three assistive devices were compared to guide clinical decision making. Methods: Twenty-five persons with MS (median Expanded Disability Status Scale score, 4.0; range, 2.5-6.0) who reported walking difficulty were trained in the use of three assistive devices—a singlepoint cane (SPC), a four-point cane (FPC), and a trekking pole (TP)—at 1- to 2-week intervals, then used the assistive device for their usual activities. Outcome measures included the Psychosocial Impact of Assistive Devices Scale (PIADS), the 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT), walking speed, cadence, stride length, stride time, the 12-item Multiple Sclerosis Walking Scale (MSWS-12), the Activities-specific Balance Confidence (ABC) scale, the 5-item Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS-5), and a visual analogue scale of fatigue (VAS-F). Results: The SPC and TP were more positive in the PIADS adaptability, competence, and selfesteem subscales. The SPC and TP resulted in higher 6MWT, walking speed, cadence, stride length, stride time, and MSWS-12 scores compared with the FPC. No differences were found in ABC scale, MFIS-5, or VAS-F scores. Conclusions: Participants reported more positive psychosocial impact, and walked faster and with higher quality, with the SPC and TP than with the FPC. Clinicians should consider suggesting an SPC or TP to patients who may benefit from assistive device use and for whom psychosocial impact is an important consideration. Int J MS Care. 2021;23:135-141.

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UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/85109437627#tab=citedBy

U2 - 10.7224/1537-2073.2020-064

DO - 10.7224/1537-2073.2020-064

M3 - Article

SN - 1537-2073

VL - 23

SP - 135

EP - 141

JO - International Journal of MS Care

JF - International Journal of MS Care

IS - 3

ER -

Trekking Poles to Aid Multiple Sclerosis Walking Impairment: An Exploratory Comparison of the Effects of Assistive Devices on Psychosocial Impact and Walking

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