Walking in adults with spina bifida with respect to muscle function

Abstract

The aim of this study was to gather information about walking function in adults with myelomeningocele and, in particular, to investigate walking function with respect to muscle function in adults with spina bifida. Based on muscle strength examination, 45 participants (median age 35 years) were classified according to severity of muscle function (MF groups 0–III). Functional walking ability, outdoor walking distance, and use of orthoses and walking aids were documented. Joint range of motion and lower limb muscle strength were examined. Timed Up and Go (TUG), 10-Meter Walk Test (10MWT) and 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) were performed. After the 6MWT, the participants estimated pain and perceived breathlessness. Compared to the other groups, MF III took a significantly longer time during TUG and 10MWT, and walked a significantly shorter distance in the 6MWT. Participants in MF III reported shorter walking distances outdoors and less active functional walking ability than those with more muscle function. Pain was equally distributed among the groups, whereas breathlessness was most reported in MF III. In conclusion, patients with severe muscle function loss walk more slowly, walk shorter distances and report breathlessness, indicating great impact on their everyday walking function, with very few walking farther than 100 m daily.

Keywords:

• Ambulation
• muscle function group
• myelomeningocele
• physical exertion
• walk test

Acknowledgements

We thank the National Association for Disabled Children and Youth (RBU) and the Montgomery Foundation for financial support and the Spinalis clinic, for the opportunity to complete the study, as well as all participants.

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest.