Backward Walking Study Offers New Hope for MS Mobility

Wayne State University researchers find backward walking training may improve balance and gait in multiple sclerosis patients.

Feb. 4, 2026 at 2:07am

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A team of researchers and students from Wayne State University's Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, School of Medicine, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and Institute of Gerontology conducted a study on the impact of a backward walking program on individuals with multiple sclerosis. The study found that backward walking training led to measurable improvements in postural stability and gait speed for most participants, suggesting it may trigger positive physical adaptations and promote neuroplasticity in the brain.

Why it matters

Multiple sclerosis is a progressive neurological disease that can severely impact mobility and balance. Finding new physical therapy interventions that can help combat these challenges is crucial for improving quality of life for MS patients. This backward walking study offers promising preliminary results that could lead to larger clinical trials and new treatment options.

The details

The study, "Structural and Functional Changes With 8 Weeks of Backward Walking Training in Multiple Sclerosis: A Case Series," was published in the Journal of Neurologic Physical Therapy. Participants were involved in eight weeks of treadmill and overground backward walking therapies. The researchers measured structural changes in the brain's white matter in three key regions and found the therapy may promote neuroplasticity in areas related to balance.

  • The study was published in the January 2026 issue of the Journal of Neurologic Physical Therapy.

The players

Dr. Nora Fritz

Director of research and professor in the Department of Health Care Sciences in the Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences and the Department of Neurology, School of Medicine at Wayne State University.

Wayne State University

The university where the collaborative research team is based, including the Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, School of Medicine, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and Institute of Gerontology.

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What they’re saying

“The results of this pilot trial indicated that backward walking training led to measurable improvements in postural stability and gait speed in a majority of those participating in the study. This suggests that backward walking may trigger positive physical adaptations.”

— Dr. Nora Fritz, Director of research and professor (Journal of Neurologic Physical Therapy)

What’s next

The authors indicated additional larger clinical trials are needed to confirm the benefits of backward walking training for multiple sclerosis patients.

The takeaway

This novel physical therapy intervention shows promising preliminary results for helping multiple sclerosis patients improve their mobility, balance and brain function. If larger trials confirm the benefits, backward walking training could become an important new treatment option for combating the progressive movement challenges associated with MS.