Specific walking patterns in people living with multiple sclerosis

Investigating Specific Gait Patterns in Individuals Living With Multiple Sclerosis

This project will see if people with multiple sclerosis have specific walking patterns compared with healthy adults.

Quick facts

• Study type: Observational
• Enrollment: 30 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years to 65 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Sysnav (Industry-sponsored)
• Locations: 1 site (Lille)
• Trial ID: NCT07388992 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational project at CHU Lille will compare walking patterns between adults with multiple sclerosis and healthy volunteers. Participants (ages 18–65) with a confirmed MS diagnosis according to McDonald 2017 and EDSS of 6 or lower who have been on stable treatment for at least two months will complete standardized gait evaluations. Age-matched healthy volunteers will complete the same walking tests as controls. The study will use objective gait measurements and clinical walking tasks to characterize ambulation quality.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults 18–65 with a confirmed MS diagnosis, EDSS ≤6, stable on therapy for at least two months, able to comply with study procedures and attend visits at CHU Lille are the ideal candidates.

Not a fit: People with more advanced disability beyond EDSS 6, those unable to travel to Lille, or those seeking immediate treatment changes are unlikely to receive direct clinical benefit from participation.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this could help clinicians track walking changes in MS more precisely and guide personalized rehabilitation.

How similar studies have performed: Previous gait-analysis research in multiple sclerosis has identified characteristic walking abnormalities, so this work builds on established findings.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

For people living with multiple sclerosis (pwMS):

1. Age at inclusion between =18 and =65 years old
2. Signed informed consent and ability to comply with study and follow-up.
3. Confirmed MS diagnosis according to McDonald criteria (2017)
4. Expanded Disability Status Scale EDSS = 6
5. Stable treatment for 2 months before inclusion (for both disease modifying and symptomatic therapies)
6. Ability and willingness to participate in and comply with all study procedures defined in the protocol
7. Subject will be eligible for enrollment in this study only if either affiliated to, or a beneficiary of a social security category

For Healthy volunteers :

1. Age at inclusion between =18 and =65 years old
2. Signed informed consent and ability to comply with study and follow-up.
3. Ability and willingness to participate in and comply with all study procedures defined in the protocol
4. Subject will be eligible for enrollment in this study only if either affiliated to, or a beneficiary of a social security category

Exclusion Criteria:

For pwMS:

1. Participants with a relapse within the past 3 months before the inclusion
2. Participants with significant cognitive disorders, limiting the understanding of the exercises to be performed or presence of apparent communication difficulties hindering the correct collection of data, as assessed by the investigator
3. Past or present pathology other than MS or surgery or trauma impacting gait, ambulatory function or upper limb function, as assessed by the investigator
4. Vulnerable adults: individuals subject to a legal protection measure (guardianship, limited guardianship, or judicial protection) or unable to express their consent.

For healthy volunteers (HV):

1. Participants with significant cognitive disorders, limiting the understanding of the exercises to be performed or presence of apparent communication difficulties hindering the correct collection of data, as assessed by the investigator
2. Past or present pathology or surgery or trauma impacting gait, ambulatory function or upper limb function, as assessed by the investigator
3. Vulnerable adults: individuals subject to a legal protection measure (guardianship, limited guardianship, or judicial protection) or unable to express their consent.

Where this trial is running

Lille

• CHU Lille — Lille, France (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Patrick Vermersch — CHU Lille
• Study coordinator: Ferial Toumi

Conditions Multiple Sclerosis; Healthy Adult