Background

Dravet Syndrome (DS) is a developmental and epileptic encephalopathy characterized by severe drug-resistant seizures and associated with cognitive and motor impairments. Walking problems are frequently observed. As the foot plays a key role during walking, compromised foot function can be a feature of deviant gait.

Aim

To investigate foot function in DS by characterizing foot-floor contact patterns using pedobarography.

Methods

A total of 31 children and adults were included in the DS group (aged 5.2–32.8 years, 17 female, 174 steps) and 30 in the control group (aged 6.0–32.9, 16 female, 180 steps). The foot-floor contact pattern was evaluated based on progression, length and smoothness (spectral arc length) of the center of pressure (CoP). Linear mixed models were used to identify differences between non-heel strikes and heel strikes and between the DS and control group.

Results

Fifteen participants with DS showed inconsistency in the type of foot-floor contact (heel strikes and non-heel strikes). Heel strikes of participants with DS had significantly reduced time of CoP under the hindfoot and increased time under the midfoot region compared to the control group. Significant time and age effects were detected.

Conclusions and implications

Deviant foot-floor contact patterns were observed in DS. Possible gait immaturity and instability as well as implications for interventions are discussed.

中文翻译：

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患有Dravet综合征的儿童和成人的脚底接触方式

背景

Dravet综合征（DS）是一种发展性和癫痫性脑病，其特征是严重的耐药性癫痫发作并与认知和运动障碍有关。经常出现步行问题。由于脚在行走过程中起关键作用，因此脚功能受损可能是步态异常的特征。

目标

通过使用脚踏气压计表征脚底接触模式来研究DS中的脚功能。

方法

DS组共包括31名儿童和成人（年龄为5.2–32.8岁，女性17位，174步），对照组为30位（6.0–32.9岁，女性16位，180步）。基于压力中心（CoP）的进程，长度和平滑度（光谱弧长）评估脚底接触模式。线性混合模型用于确定非脚跟打击和脚跟打击之间以及DS和对照组之间的差异。

结果

15名DS参与者表现出脚底接触类型不一致（脚跟撞击和非脚跟撞击）。与对照组相比，DS参与者的足跟打击显着减少了后脚CoP时间，而中脚区域下时间增加。检测到显着的时间和年龄影响。

结论与启示

在DS中观察到脚底接触模式异常。讨论了可能的步态不成熟和不稳定性以及对干预措施的影响。