Cognitive Contributors of Backward Walking in Persons with Multiple Sclerosis.

When examining the unique effects of cognitive domains on disease severity-related deficits in BW, a meaningful source of impairment related to visuospatial memory and verbal immediate recall was demonstrated. Considering the utility of BW velocity as a predictor of falls, these results highlight the importance of assessing cognition when evaluating fall risk in MS. Cognitive-based intervention studies investigating fall prevention may find BW as a more specific and sensitive predictor of fall risk than forward walking.