Abstract
The aim of the present study was to determine if there are differences in such parameters among patients affected by fibromyalgia (FM) and healthy subjects and whether the degree of affectation by FM can decrease the gait parameters. We studied 55 women with FM and 44 controls. Gait analysis was performed using an instrumented walkway for measurement of the kinematic parameters of gait (GAITRite system), and patients completed a Spanish version of Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ). Significant differences (p < 0.001) between FM and control groups were found in velocity, stride length, cadence, single support ratio, double support ratio, stance phase ratio, and swing phase ratio. There were significant inverse correlations between FIQ and velocity, stride length, swing phase, and single support, whereas significant direct correlations were found with stance phase and double support. Gait parameters of women affected by FM were severely impaired when compared to those of healthy women. Different factors such as lack of physical activity, bradikinesia, overweight, fatigue, and pain together with a lower isometric force in the legs can be responsible for the alterations in gait and poorer life quality of women with FM.
References
Pierrynowskia MR, Tiidusb PM, Galea V (2005) Women with fibromyalgia walk with an altered muscle synergy. Gait Posture 22:210–218
Maquet D, Croisier J, Renard C, Crielaard J (2002) Muscle performance in patients with fibromyalgia. Joint Bone Spine 69:293–299
Bendtsen L, Norregaard J, Jensen R, Olesen J (1997) Evidence of qualitatively altered nociception in patients with fibromyalgia. Arthritis Rheum 40:98–102
Auvinet B, Bileckot R, Alix AS, Chaleil D, Barrey E (2006) Gait disorders in patients with fibromyalgia. Joint Bone Spine 73:543–546
Pankoff B, Overend T, Lucy D, White K (2000) Validity and responsiveness of the 6 minute walk test for people with fibromyalgia. J Rheumatol 27:2666–2670
Mannerkorpi K, Nyberg B, Ahlmen M, Ekdahl C (2000) Pool exercise combined with an education program for patients with fibromyalgia syndrome. A prospective, randomized study. J Rheumatol 27:2473–2481
Wolfe F, Smythe HA, Yunus MB, Bennett RM, Bombardier C, Goldenberg DL et al (1990) The american college of rheumatology 1990 criteria for the classification of fibromyalgia. Arthritis Rheum 33:160–172
Ashwini KR, Lori Q, Karen SM (2005) Reliability of spatiotemporal gait outcome measures in Huntington’s disease. Mov Disord 20:1033–1037
Rivera J, González T (2004) The fibromyalgia impact questionnaire: a validated Spanish version to assess the health status in women with fibromyalgia. Clin Exp Rheumatol 22:554–560
Kaufman KR, Chambers HG, Sutherland DH (1996) Variability of temporal distance measurements in pathological gait studies. Gait Posture 4:169
Bilney B, Morris M, Webster K (2003) Concurrent related validity of the GAITRite walkway system for quantification of the spatial and temporal parameters of gait. Gait Posture 17:68–74
McDonough AL, Batavia M, Chen FC, Kwon S, Ziai J (2001) The validity and reliability of the GAITRite system’s measurements: a preliminary evaluation. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 82:419–425
Valkeinen H, Häkkinen A, Alen M, Hannonen P, Kukkonen-Harjula K, Häkkinen K (2007) Physical fitness in postmenopausal women with fibromyalgia. Int J Sports Med 29:408–413
Gowans SE, deHueck A (2007) Pool exercise for individuals with fibromyalgia. Curr Opin Rheumatol 19:168–173
Rooks DS, Silverman CB, Kantrowitz FG (2002) The effects of progressive strength training and aerobic exercise on muscle strength and cardiovascular fitness in women with fibromyalgia: a pilot study. Arthritis Rheum 47:22–28
Acknowledgements
Fibromyalgia’s Granada Association (AGRAFIM) is acknowledged for their participation and collaboration.
Disclosures
None
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Heredia Jiménez, J.M., Aparicio García-Molina, V.A., Porres Foulquie, J.M. et al. Spatial-temporal parameters of gait in women with fibromyalgia. Clin Rheumatol 28, 595–598 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10067-009-1101-7
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10067-009-1101-7