Recent research has highlighted the importance of walking (for those able to) and exercise as strategies for people living with MS to maintain wellness. Issues with walking and walking patterns (gait) often lead to consultations with allied health professional such as physiotherapists and exercise specialists. However, there is little information for these therapists on exactly which muscles are affected in the lower limbs and how muscle weakness may contribute to gait as the disease progresses. Additionally, there is a lack of best practice guidance on specific training programs to improve walking and mobility in people living with MS.
Dr Phu Hoang and his team aim to explore the impact of weak muscles on walking patterns in people with MS and develop an effective approach to improve gait. The first part of the study explores lower limb muscle weakness in people with MS at different stages of the disease. The second part of the study will compare traditional strength training, which is used in current MS therapy, against a more individualised approach targeting commonly seen symptoms in MS, such as footdrop and knee hyperextension. It is hoped that this new knowledge will provide clinicians with more effective interventions to improve mobility for people living with MS and to assist in improved rehabilitation programs for the future.
Dr Hoang and his team have recruited 80 people living with MS and 65 people living without MS for the first part of their study in assessing lower limb strength and walking ability in individuals with MS. Dr Hoang and his team plan to recruit a further 15 people living without MS as control participants for the study and will continue their data collection and analysis throughout 2024.
The second part of the study could not commence during the pandemic due to restrictions and vaccination hesitancy among participants with MS. Given these delays, recruitment efforts have been paused for this part of the study.
Dr. Hoang has published several articles and reports based on the findings from this research.
Dr Hoang and his team recruited 80 people living with MS and 40 people living without MS for the first part of their study in assessing lower limb strength and walking ability in individuals with MS.
The results showed that people with MS often have decreased strength in their lower leg muscles which leads to walking abnormalities. These abnormalities were in the knees, hips, and ankles where people with MS had less movement compared to those without MS. In addition to reduced movement, stiffness also makes it harder for people with MS to walk at a fast pace.
This means that changes in how the legs move whilst walking, particularly at the knees, hips, and ankles, are linked to slower walking. Health professionals working in rehabilitation are encouraged to investigate how individuals’ knee and ankle joints are working, and how strong the hip muscles are when helping people with MS to improve their walking.
The second part of the study could not commence due to restrictions and vaccination hesitancy among participants with MS during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dr. Hoang has published several articles and reports based on the findings from this research.
Updated 31 March 2025
$240,000
2021
3 years
Current project
