Cited by 32Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome ResearchBalance, Gait, and Falls PreventionLower Extremity Biomechanics and Pathologies

The interest of gait markers in the identification of subgroups among fibromyalgia patients

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Auvinet, Bernard, Chaleil, Denis, Cabane, Jean, Dumolard, Anne, Hatron, Pierre, Juvin, Robert, Lanteri-Minet, Michel, Mainguy, Yves +4 more·2011·BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Fibromyalgia (FM) is a heterogeneous syndrome and its classification into subgroups calls for broad-based discussion. FM subgrouping, which aims to adapt treatment according to different subgroups, relies in part, on psychological and cognitive dysfunctions. Since motor control of gait is closely related to cognitive function, we hypothesized that gait markers could be of interest in the identification of FM patients' subgroups. This controlled study aimed at characterizing gait disorders in FM, and subgrouping FM patients according to gait markers such as stride frequency (SF), stride regularity (SR), and cranio-caudal power (CCP) which measures kinesia. METHODS: A multicentre, observational open trial enrolled patients with primary FM (44.1 ± 8.1 y), and matched controls (44.1 ± 7.3 y). Outcome measurements and gait analyses were available for 52 pairs. A 3-step statistical analysis was carried out. A preliminary single blind analysis using k-means cluster was performed as an initial validation of gait markers. Then in order to quantify FM patients according to psychometric and gait variables an open descriptive analysis comparing patients and controls were made, and correlations between gait variables and main outcomes were calculated. Finally using cluster analysis, we described subgroups for each gait variable and looked for significant differences in self-reported assessments. RESULTS: SF was the most discriminating gait variable (73% of patients and controls). SF, SR, and CCP were different between patients and controls. There was a non-significant association between SF, FIQ and physical components from Short-Form 36 (p = 0.06). SR was correlated to FIQ (p = 0.01) and catastrophizing (p = 0.05) while CCP was correlated to pain (p = 0.01). The SF cluster identified 3 subgroups with a particular one characterized by normal SF, low pain, high activity and hyperkinesia. The SR cluster identified 2 distinct subgroups: the one with a reduced SR was distinguished by high FIQ, poor coping and altered affective status. CONCLUSION: Gait analysis may provide additional information in the identification of subgroups among fibromyalgia patients. Gait analysis provided relevant information about physical and cognitive status, and pain behavior. Further studies are needed to better understand gait analysis implications in FM.

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  • Stride frequency may differentiate FM patients from healthy controls (HC) and was correlated with diverted attention and reduced self-assessed coping skills.

    “Stride frequency may differentiate FM patients from healthy controls (HC) and was correlated with diverted attention and reduced self-assessed coping skills.”

    From A Review of Movement and Functional Impairments in Fibromyalgia: Implications for Targeted Treatment (2025) · cites this paper as [14]

    The Results (Population characteristics) identify stride frequency as the most discriminating marker between FM patients and controls. The Results (Correlation analysis) report positive correlations between stride frequency and both diverting attention and coping self-statements. They do not report a correlation with a measure of reduced self-assessed coping skills; reduced coping self-statements are reported for the low-stride-regularity subgroup instead. (LLM, conf=0.82)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • Stride regularity was correlated to quality of life measures and pain catastrophizing, prospectively predicting high levels of comorbid pain and depression.

    “Stride regularity was correlated to quality of life measures and pain catastrophizing, prospectively predicting high levels of comorbid pain and depression.14”

    From A Review of Movement and Functional Impairments in Fibromyalgia: Implications for Targeted Treatment (2025) · cites this paper as [14]

    The Results (Correlation analysis) report that stride regularity correlated with the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire score and catastrophizing, but found no correlation with SF-36 quality-of-life measures. The Discussion (Gait markers in fibromyalgia) says catastrophizing—not stride regularity—can prospectively predict high pain and depression; the paper does not report a prospective prediction by stride regularity. (LLM, conf=0.90)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • Reduced stride regularity values may characterise a subgroup of fibromyalgia patients with poor affect and cognitive abilities.

    “Reduced stride regularity values may characterise a subgroup of FM patients with poor affect and cognitive abilities.”

    From A Review of Movement and Functional Impairments in Fibromyalgia: Implications for Targeted Treatment (2025) · cites this paper as [14]

    The Results (Cluster analyses) identify a low-stride-regularity subgroup with more depression and anxiety, less coping self-statement, and more catastrophizing. The Discussion (Cluster analysis) describes these as affective and coping differences, but the paper does not establish that the subgroup has poorer cognitive abilities. (LLM, conf=0.85)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • Gait analysis was proposed to provide additional information in identifying subgroups among FM patients.

    “Gait analysis was proposed to provide additional information in identifying subgroups among FM patients.14”
  • Subgrouping fibromyalgia patients by stride frequency could facilitate prescribing physical activity for those with normal stride frequency and a slowly progressive physical activity program for those with reduced stride frequency.

    “Subgrouping FM patients on the basis of stride frequency measurement could facilitate the prescription of physical activity for patients with normal stride frequency, and encourage the prescription of a slowly progressive physical activity program for those who demonstrate reduced stride frequency on assessment.”

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Authors
Auvinet, B., Chaleil, D., Cabane, J., Dumolard, A., Hatron, P., Juvin, R., Lanteri-Minet, M., Mainguy, Y., Negre-Pages, L., Pillard, F., Riviere, D., & Maugars, Y.-M.
Affiliations
  • Centre Hospitalier Universitaire d'Angers (FR)
  • Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Grenoble (FR)
  • Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Lille (FR)
  • Pierre Fabre (France) (FR)
  • Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nantes (FR)
Corresponding author
Auvinet, Bernard
Venue
BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders
Published
2011-11-11
Volume
12
Issue
1
Pages
258-258
ISSN
1471-2474 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2126386559
Cited by
32
References
50
Citations by year
2025: 1 · 2024: 3 · 2022: 9 · 2021: 2 · 2019: 1 · 2018: 1 · 2017: 2 · 2016: 3 · 2015: 2 · 2014: 2 · 2013: 5 · 2012: 1
FWCI
1.76
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • McGill University
  • Les Laboratories Pierre Fabre
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Research
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation › Balance, Gait, and Falls Prevention
  • Physical Sciences › Engineering › Biomedical Engineering › Lower Extremity Biomechanics and Pathologies
Keywords
fibromyalgia, gait analysis, patient subgrouping, cadence, stride regularity, hyperkinesia, pain catastrophizing, pain behavior, cognitive function
MeSH terms
Adult, Cognition Disorders, Disability Evaluation, Female, Fibromyalgia, Humans, Middle Aged, Pain Measurement, Physical Examination, Surveys and Questionnaires, Biomarkers, Comorbidity, Gait Disorders, Neurologic, Young Adult, Catastrophization

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