Gait disorders in patients with fibromyalgia

ObjectivesThe objective of this study was to compare gait in patients with fibromyalgia and in matched controls.MethodsMeasurements must be obtained in patients with fibromyalgia, as the evaluation scales for this disorder are semi-quantitative. We used a patented gait analysis system (LocometrixTM Centaure Metrix, France) developed by the French National Institute for Agricultural Research. Relaxed walking was evaluated in 14 women (mean age 50 ± 5 years; mean height 162 ± 5 cm; and mean body weight 68 ± 13 kg) meeting American College of Rheumatology criteria for fibromyalgia and in 14 controls matched on sex, age, height, and body weight.ResultsGait during stable walking was severely altered in the patients. Walking speed was significantly diminished (P < 0.001) as a result of reductions in stride length (P < 0.001) and cycle frequency (P < 0.001). The resulting bradykinesia (P < 0.001) was the best factor for separating the two groups. Regularity was affected in the patients (P < 0.01); this variable is interesting because it is independent of age and sex in healthy, active adults.ConclusionMeasuring the variables that characterize relaxed walking provides useful quantitative data in patients with fibromyalgia.