Objective: We need a concise and responsive biomarker for multiple system atrophy (MSA).

Background: In Japan, the majority of patients of MSA are of the cerebellar dominant type. We previously reported on the usefulness of gait analysis for spinocerebellar degeneration (SCD) by triaxial accelerometers and the 9-hole peg test (9-HPT). This time we performed quantitative gait analysis by triaxial accelerometers and 9HPT for MSA patients and evaluated its usefulness.

Method: We performed the gait analysis by triaxial accelerometers and 9HPT on 18 patients with MSA. Male/female was 8/10. The average age was 64.4 years old and average disease duration was 2.5 years. We evaluated the correlation of the 9HPT and data gained by triaxial accelerometers to UMSARS part 2 and gait distances during 6 minute shuttle walk.

Results: The vertical amplitude of the thoracic back during straight gait gained by triaxial accelerometers correlated significantly to gait distance (R = 0.9035, p < 0.001) and UMSARS part 2 (R = -0.6811, p = 0.0013).
On the other hand, the 9HPT results did not correlate significantly to UMSARS part 2 (R = 0.1955, p = 0.4370).

Conclusion: We suggest that the quantitative gait analysis by triaxial accelerometers can be a physiological biomarker for MSA, while 9HPT may not.
9HPT results may reflect an execution function, in addition to parkinsonism and cerebellar ataxia, which is assessed in UMSARS part 2.
A follow up study is needed to assess responsiveness. ​​​​​​​

References: Shirai S, Yabe I, Matsushima M, Ito YM, Yoneyama M, Sasaki H. Quantitative evaluation of gait ataxia by accelerometers. J Neurol Sci. 2015;358(1-2):253–258. doi:10.1016/j.jns.2015.09.004 Shirai S, Yabe I, Takahashi-Iwata I, et al. The Responsiveness of Triaxial Accelerometer Measurement of Gait Ataxia Is Higher than That of the Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia in the Early Stages of Spinocerebellar Degeneration. Cerebellum. 2019;18(4):721–730. doi:10.1007/s12311-019-01025-5

« Back to MDS Virtual Congress 2020

MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/quantitative-evaluation-of-multiple-system-atorphy-by-triaxial-accelerometers-and-9-hole-peg-test/