Clinical improvements in temporospatial gait variables after a spinal tap test in individuals with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus
Issued Date
2024-12-01
Resource Type
eISSN
20452322
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85183042236
Pubmed ID
38267518
Journal Title
Scientific Reports
Volume
14
Issue
1
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Scientific Reports Vol.14 No.1 (2024)
Suggested Citation
Bovonsunthonchai S., Witthiwej T., Vachalathiti R., Hengsomboon P., Thong-On S., Sathornsumetee S., Ngamsombat C., Chawalparit O., Muangpaisan W., Richards J. Clinical improvements in temporospatial gait variables after a spinal tap test in individuals with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus. Scientific Reports Vol.14 No.1 (2024). doi:10.1038/s41598-024-52516-3 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/95898
Title
Clinical improvements in temporospatial gait variables after a spinal tap test in individuals with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus
Corresponding Author(s)
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
Idiopathic Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (iNPH) is a neurological condition that often presents gait disturbance in the early stages of the disease and affects other motor activities. This study investigated changes in temporospatial gait variables after cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) removal using a spinal tap test in individuals with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH), and explored if the tap test responders and non-responders could be clinically identified from temporospatial gait variables. Sixty-two individuals with iNPH were recruited from an outpatient clinic, eleven were excluded, leaving a total of 51 who were included in the analysis. Temporospatial gait variables at self-selected speed were recorded at pre- and 24-h post-tap tests which were compared using Paired t-tests, Cohen’s d effect size, and percentage change. A previously defined minimal clinical important change (MCIC) for gait speed was used to determine the changes and to classify tap test responders and non-responders. A mixed model ANOVA was used to determine the within-group, between-group, and interaction effects. Comparisons of the data between pre- and post-tap tests showed significant improvements with small to medium effect sizes for left step length, right step time, stride length and time, cadence, and gait speed. Gait speed showed the largest percentage change among temporospatial gait variables. Within-group and interaction effects were found in some variables but no between-group effect was found. Tap test responders showed significant improvements in right step length and time, stride length and time, cadence, and gait speed while non-responders did not. Some individuals with iNPH showed clinically important improvements in temporospatial gait variables after the tap test, particularly in step/stride length and time, cadence, who could be classified by gait speed. However, gait-related balance variables did not change. Therefore, additional treatments should focus on improving such variables.