scholarly journals Turning Characteristics of the More-Affected Side in Parkinson’s Disease Patients with Freezing of Gait

Sensors ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (11) ◽  
pp. 3098
Author(s):  
Hwayoung Park ◽  
Changhong Youm ◽  
Myeounggon Lee ◽  
Byungjoo Noh ◽  
Sang-Myung Cheon
Keyword(s):  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Parkinson's Disease ◽  
Center Of Mass ◽  
Freezing Of Gait ◽  
Step Length ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Maximum Speed ◽  
Step Width ◽  
Affected Side ◽  
Anterior Posterior

This study investigated the turning characteristics of the more-affected limbs in Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients in comparison with that of a control group, and in PD patients with freezing of gait (FOG; freezers) in comparison with those without FOG (non-freezers) for 360° and 540° turning tasks at the maximum speed. A total of 12 freezers, 12 non-freezers, and 12 controls participated in this study. The PD patients showed significantly longer total durations, shorter inner and outer step lengths, and greater anterior–posterior (AP) root mean square (RMS) center of mass (COM) distances compared to those for the controls. The freezers showed significantly greater AP and medial-lateral (ML) RMS COM distances compared to those of non-freezers. The turning task toward the inner step of the more-affected side (IMA) in PD patients showed significantly greater step width, total steps, and AP and ML RMS COM distances than that toward the outer step of the more-affected side (OMA). The corresponding results for freezers revealed significantly higher total steps and shorter inner step length during the 540° turn toward the IMA than that toward the OMA. Therefore, PD patients and freezers exhibited greater turning difficulty in performing challenging turning tasks such as turning with an increased angle and speed and toward the more-affected side.

scholarly journals Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in addition to walking training on walking, mobility, and reduction of falls in Parkinson’s disease: study protocol for a randomized clinical trial

Trials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucas Rodrigues Nascimento ◽  
Ester Miyuki Nakamura-Palacios ◽  
Augusto Boening ◽  
Daniel Lyrio Cabral ◽  
Alessandra Swarowsky ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Parkinson's Disease ◽  
Direct Current ◽  
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation ◽  
Fear Of Falling ◽  
Cortical Excitability ◽  
Freezing Of Gait ◽  
Step Length ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Direct Current Stimulation

Abstract Background Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has the potential to modulate cortical excitability and enhance the effects of walking training in people with Parkinson’s disease. This study will examine the efficacy of the addition of tDCS to a task-specific walking training to improve walking and mobility and to reduce falls in people with Parkinson’s disease. Methods This is a two-arm, prospectively registered, randomized trial with concealed allocation, blinded assessors, participants and therapists, and intention-to-treat analysis. Twenty-four individuals with Parkinson’s disease, categorized as slow or intermediate walkers (walking speeds ≤ 1.0 m/s), will be recruited. The experimental group will undertake a 30-min walking training associated with tDCS, for 4 weeks. The control group will undertake the same walking training, but with sham-tDCS. The primary outcome will be comfortable walking speed. Secondary outcomes will include walking step length, walking cadence, walking confidence, mobility, freezing of gait, fear of falling, and falls. Outcomes will be collected by a researcher blinded to group allocation at baseline (week 0), after intervention (week 4), and 1 month beyond intervention (week 8). Discussion tDCS associated with walking training may help improve walking of slow and intermediate walkers with Parkinson’s disease. If walking is enhanced, the benefits may be accompanied by better mobility and reduced fear of falling, and individuals may experience greater free-living physical activity at home and in the community. Trial registration Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials (ReBEC) RBR-6bvnx6. Registered on September 23, 2019

scholarly journals Group-based music intervention in Parkinson’s disease – findings from a mixed-methods study

2020 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 533-544
Author(s):  
Petra Pohl ◽  
Ewa Wressle ◽  
Fredrik Lundin ◽  
Paul Enthoven ◽  
Nil Dizdar
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Parkinson's Disease ◽  
Freezing Of Gait ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Group Differences ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Music Intervention ◽  
Post Intervention

Objective: To evaluate a group-based music intervention in patients with Parkinson’s disease. Design: Parallel group randomized controlled trial with qualitative triangulation. Setting: Neurorehabilitation in primary care. Subjects: Forty-six patients with Parkinson’s disease were randomized into intervention group ( n = 26), which received training with the music-based intervention, and control group ( n = 20) without training. Interventions: The intervention was delivered twice weekly for 12 weeks. Main measures: Primary outcome was Timed-Up-and-Go subtracting serial 7’s (dual-task ability). Secondary outcomes were cognition, balance, concerns about falling, freezing of gait, and quality of life. All outcomes were evaluated at baseline, post-intervention, and three months post-intervention. Focus groups and individual interviews were conducted with the intervention group and with the delivering physiotherapists. Results: No between-group differences were observed for dual-task ability. Between-group differences were observed for Falls Efficacy Scale (mean difference (MD) = 6.5 points; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 3.0 to 10.0, P = 0.001) and for Parkinson Disease Questionnaire-39 items (MD = 8.3; 95% CI = 2.7 to 13.8, P = 0.005) when compared to the control group post-intervention, but these were not maintained at three months post-intervention. Three themes were derived from the interviews: Expectations versus Results, Perspectives on Treatment Contents, and Key Factors for Success. Conclusion: Patient-reported outcomes and interviews suggest that the group-based music intervention adds value to mood, alertness, and quality of life in patients with Parkinson’s disease. The study does not support the efficacy in producing immediate or lasting gains in dual-tasking, cognition, balance, or freezing of gait.

scholarly journals The Therapeutic Effect of Nordic Walking on Freezing of Gait in Parkinson’s Disease: A Pilot Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Agata Wróblewska ◽  
Agata Gajos ◽  
Urszula Smyczyńska ◽  
Andrzej Bogucki
Keyword(s):  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Parkinson's Disease ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Freezing Of Gait ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Nordic Walking ◽  
Provocative Test ◽  
Step Initiation

Introduction. The effectiveness of the currently utilized therapies for FoG is limited. Several studies demonstrated a beneficial impact of Nordic walking (NW) on several gait parameters in Parkinson’s disease, but only one paper reported reduction of freezing. Research Question. In the present study, the question is whether NW is an effective therapeutic intervention in FoG. Methods. Twenty PD subjects trained NW for 12 weeks, with a frequency of twice per week. Each session lasted about 60 minutes. Twenty patients in the control group did not use any form of physiotherapy (no-intervention group). Freezing of Gait Questionnaire (FOGQ), the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, and the Provocative Test for Freezing and Motor Blocks (PTFMB) were performed at baseline, immediately after the end of NW program, and three months later. Results. The results of FOGQ, TUG, and total PTFMB revealed significant improvement after completing the exercise program, and this effect persisted at follow-up. The results of the PTFMB subtests showed a different effect of NW on particular subtypes of FoG. Start hesitation, sudden transient blocks that interrupt gait, and blocks on turning improved considerably, while motor blocks, when walking through narrow space and on reaching the target, did not respond to NW training. Significance. The results show, for the first time, that FoG during turning and step initiation, two most common forms of this gait disorder, has been significantly reduced by NW training. Different responses of particular subtypes of FoG to NW probably reflect their different pathophysiologies. Conclusions. The present study showed that NW training had a beneficial effect on FOG in PD and that the achieved improvement is long-lasting. Future research should clarify whether the observed improvement limited to FoG triggered by only some circumstances reflects different pathomechanisms of FoG subtypes.

scholarly journals Selecting Clinically Relevant Gait Characteristics for Classification of Early Parkinson’s Disease: A Comprehensive Machine Learning Approach

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rana Zia Ur Rehman ◽  
Silvia Del Din ◽  
Yu Guan ◽  
Alison J. Yarnall ◽  
Jian Qing Shi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Machine Learning ◽  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Parkinson's Disease ◽  
Clinical Decision Making ◽  
Information Gain ◽  
Step Length ◽  
Support Vector ◽  
Step Width ◽  
Gait Characteristics

AbstractParkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease; gait impairments are typical and are associated with increased fall risk and poor quality of life. Gait is potentially a useful biomarker to help discriminate PD at an early stage, however the optimal characteristics and combination are unclear. In this study, we used machine learning (ML) techniques to determine the optimal combination of gait characteristics to discriminate people with PD and healthy controls (HC). 303 participants (119 PD, 184 HC) walked continuously around a circuit for 2-minutes at a self-paced walk. Gait was quantified using an instrumented mat (GAITRite) from which 16 gait characteristics were derived and assessed. Gait characteristics were selected using different ML approaches to determine the optimal method (random forest with information gain and recursive features elimination (RFE) technique with support vector machine (SVM) and logistic regression). Five clinical gait characteristics were identified with RFE-SVM (mean step velocity, mean step length, step length variability, mean step width, and step width variability) that accurately classified PD. Model accuracy for classification of early PD ranged between 73–97% with 63–100% sensitivity and 79–94% specificity. In conclusion, we identified a subset of gait characteristics for accurate early classification of PD. These findings pave the way for a better understanding of the utility of ML techniques to support informed clinical decision-making.

scholarly journals Leap motion controlled video game-based therapy for upper limb rehabilitation in patients with Parkinson’s disease: a feasibility study

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pilar Fernández-González ◽  
María Carratalá-Tejada ◽  
Esther Monge-Pereira ◽  
Susana Collado-Vázquez ◽  
Patricia Sánchez-Herrera Baeza ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Parkinson's Disease ◽  
Feasibility Study ◽  
Upper Limb ◽  
Serious Games ◽  
Post Treatment ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Leap Motion ◽  
Affected Side ◽  
Experimental Group

Abstract Background Non-immersive video games are currently being used as technological rehabilitation tools for individuals with Parkinson’s disease (PD). The aim of this feasibility study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the Leap Motion Controller® (LMC) system used with serious games designed for the upper limb (UL), as well as the levels of satisfaction and compliance among patients in mild-to-moderate stages of the disease. Methods A non-probabilistic sampling of non-consecutive cases was performed. 23 PD patients, in stages II-IV of the Hoehn & Yahr scale, were randomized into two groups: an experimental group (n = 12) who received treatment based on serious games designed by the research team using the LMC system for the UL, and a control group (n = 11) who received a specific intervention for the UL. Grip muscle strength, coordination, speed of movements, fine and gross UL dexterity, as well as satisfaction and compliance, were assessed in both groups pre-treatment and post-treatment. Results Within the experimental group, significant improvements were observed in all post-treatment assessments, except for Box and Blocks test for the less affected side. Clinical improvements were observed for all assessments in the control group. Statistical intergroup analysis showed significant improvements in coordination, speed of movements and fine motor dexterity scores on the more affected side of patients in the experimental group. Conclusions The LMC system and the serious games designed may be a feasible rehabilitation tool for the improvement of coordination, speed of movements and fine UL dexterity in PD patients. Further studies are needed to confirm these preliminary findings.

scholarly journals Novel methodology for assessing total recovery time in response to unexpected perturbations while walking

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Uri Rosenblum ◽  
Lotem Kribus-Shmiel ◽  
Gabi Zeilig ◽  
Yotam Bahat ◽  
Shani Kimel-Naor ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Recovery Time ◽  
Center Of Mass ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Random Order ◽  
Step Length ◽  
Step Width ◽  
Total Recovery ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Anterior Posterior

AbstractWalking stability is achieved by adjusting the medio-lateral and anterior-posterior dimensions of the base of support (step length and step width, respectively) to contain an extrapolated center of mass. We aimed to calculate total recovery time after different types of perturbations during walking, and use it to compare young and older adults following different types of perturbations. Walking trials were performed in 12 young (age 26.92 ± 3.40 years) and 12 older (age 66.83 ± 1.60 years) adults. Perturbations were introduced at different phases of the gait cycle, on both legs and in anterior-posterior or medio-lateral directions, in random order. A novel algorithm was developed to determine total recovery time values for regaining stable step length and step width parameters following the different perturbations and compared between the two participant groups under low and high cognitive load conditions, using principal component analysis (PCA). We analyzed 829 perturbations each for step length and step width. The algorithm successfully estimated total recovery time in 91.07% of the runs. PCA and statistical comparisons showed significant differences in step length and step width recovery times between anterior-posterior and medio-lateral perturbations, but no age-related differences. Initial analyses demonstrated the feasibility of comparisons based on total recovery time calculated using our algorithm.

scholarly journals A Manipulation of Visual Feedback during Gait Training in Parkinson's Disease

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Quincy J. Almeida ◽  
Haseel Bhatt
Keyword(s):  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Parkinson's Disease ◽  
Optic Flow ◽  
Visual Cues ◽  
Step Length ◽  
Gait Training ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Training Interventions ◽  
Visual Cueing ◽  
Walking Velocity

Visual cues are known to improve gait in Parkinson's disease (PD); however, the contribution of optic flow continues to be disputed. This study manipulated transverse line cues during two gait training interventions (6 weeks). PD subjects (N=42) were assigned to one of three groups: treadmill (TG), overground (OG), or control group (CG). Participants walked across lines placed on either treadmills or 16-meter carpets, respectively. The treadmill (TG) offered a reduced dynamic flow from the environment, while lines presented on the ground (OG) emphasized optic flow related to the participant's own displacement. Both interventions significantly improved (and maintained through retention period) step length, thus improving walking velocity. Only the OG improved in the TUG test, while only the TG showed hints of improving (and maintaining) motor symptoms. Since gait improvements were found in both training groups, we conclude that by reducing optic flow, gait benefits associated with visual cueing training can still be achieved.

scholarly journals 3D visual cueing shortens the double support phase of the gait cycle in patients with advanced Parkinson's disease treated with DBS of the STN

PLoS ONE ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (12) ◽  
pp. e0244676
Author(s):  
Kamila Poláková ◽  
Evžen Růžička ◽  
Robert Jech ◽  
David Kemlink ◽  
Jan Rusz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Parkinson's Disease ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Freezing Of Gait ◽  
Step Length ◽  
Double Support ◽  
Visual Cueing ◽  
Stn Dbs ◽  
Support Phase ◽  
Double Support Phase

Background Gait disturbances have emerged as some of the main therapeutic concerns in late-stage Parkinson’s disease (PD) treated with dopaminergic therapy and deep brain stimulation (DBS). External cues may help to overcome freezing of gait (FOG) and improve some of the gait parameters. Aim To evaluate the effect of 3D visual cues and STN-DBS on gait in PD group. Methods We enrolled 35 PD patients treated with DBS of nucleus subthalamicus (STN-DBS). Twenty-five patients (5 females; mean age 58.9 ±6.3) and 25 sex- and age-matched controls completed the gait examination. The gait in 10 patients deteriorated in OFF state. The severity of PD was evaluated using the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) and Hoehn and Yahr (HY). The PD group filled the Falls Efficacy Scale-International (FES) and Freezing of Gait Questionnaire (FOGQ). Gait was examined using the GaitRite Analysis System, placed in the middle of the 10m marked path. The PD group was tested without dopaminergic medication with and without visual cueing together with the DBS switched ON and OFF. The setting of DBS was double-blind and performed in random order. Results The UPDRS was 21.9 ±9.5 in DBS ON state and 41.3 ±13.7 in DBS OFF state. HY was 2.5 ±0.6, FES 12.4 ±4.1 and FOGQ 9.4 ±5.7. In the DBS OFF state, PD group walked more slowly with shorter steps, had greater step length variability and longer duration of the double support phase compared to healthy controls. The walking speed and step length increased in the DBS ON state. The double support phase was reduced with 3D visual cueing and DBS; the combination of both cueing and DBS was even more effective. Conclusion Cueing with 3D visual stimuli shortens the double support phase in PD patients treated with DBS-STN. The DBS is more effective in prolonging step length and increasing gait speed. We conclude that 3D visual cueing can improve walking in patients with DBS.

scholarly journals Recovery of dynamic stability during slips unaffected by arm swing in people with Parkinson’s Disease

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. e0249303
Author(s):  
Tarique Siragy ◽  
Allen Hill ◽  
Julie Nantel
Keyword(s):  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Parkinson's Disease ◽  
Calculated Data ◽  
Step Length ◽  
Step Width ◽  
Arm Swing ◽  
Margin Of Stability ◽  
Recovery Response ◽  
Arm Elevation ◽  
Arm Motion

The arm elevation strategy assists in recovering stability during slips in healthy young and elderly individuals. However, in people with Parkinson’s Disease, one of the main motor symptoms affecting the upper limbs is reduced arm swing which intensifies throughout the course of the disease before becoming absent. This holds direct implications for these individuals when encountering slips as the arm elevation strategy is an integral component in the interlimb slip response to restore stability. Arm swing’s effect in recovering from slips in people with Parkinson’s Disease though remains unexamined. Twenty people with Parkinson’s Disease (63.78 ± 8.97 years) walked with restricted and unrestricted arm swing conditions on a dual-belt treadmill where slips were induced on the least and most affected sides. Data were collected on the CAREN Extended System (Motek Medical, Amsterdam, NL). The Margin of Stability, linear and angular trunk velocities, as well as step length, time, and width were calculated. Data were examined during the slipped step and recovery step. The restricted arm swing condition, compared to unrestricted, caused a faster step time during the slipped step. Compared to the most affected leg, the least affected had a wider step width during the slipped step. During the recovery step, the least affected leg had a larger anteroposterior Margin of Stability and longer step time than the most affected. No differences between our arm swing conditions suggests that the normal arm swing in our participants was not more effective at restoring stability after an induced slip compared to when their arm motion was restricted. This may be due to the arm elevation strategy being ineffective in counteracting the slip’s backward destabilization in these individuals. Differences between the legs revealed that our participants were asymmetrically impaired in their slip recovery response.

scholarly journals Effects of dance on gait and dual-task gait in Parkinson’s disease

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nadeesha Kalyani Hewa Haputhanthirige ◽  
Karen Sullivan ◽  
Gene Moyle ◽  
Sandy Brauer ◽  
Erica Rose Jeffrey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Parkinson's Disease ◽  
Dual Task ◽  
Verbal Fluency ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Mixed Model ◽  
Linear Mixed Model ◽  
Step Length ◽  
Gait Velocity ◽  
Control Group

Abstract Background Gait impairments in Parkinson’s disease (PD) limit independence and quality of life. While dance based interventions could improve gait, further studies are needed to determine if the benefits generalise to different terrains and when dual-tasking. The aim was to perform a feasibility study of the effects of a dance intervention, based on the Dance for PD®(DfPD®) program, on gait under different dual-tasks (verbal fluency, serial subtraction) and surfaces (even, uneven), and to determine if a larger scale follow-up RCT is warranted.Methods A dance group (DG; n = 17; age = 65.8 ± 11.7 years) and a control group (CG: n = 16; age = 67.0 ± 7.7 years) comprised of non-cognitively impaired (Addenbrooke’s score: DG = 93.2 ± 3.6, CG = 92.6 ± 4.3) independently locomoting people with PD (Hoehn & Yahr I-III) participated in the study. The DG undertook a one-hour DfPD®based class, twice weekly for 12 weeks. The CG had treatment as usual. Gait analysis was performed at baseline and post-intervention while walking on two surfaces (even, uneven) under three conditions (regular walking; dual-task: verbal-fluency, serial-subtraction). The data was analysed by means of a linear mixed model. ResultsThe DG improved significantly compared to the CG in gait velocity, cadence, step-length, and stride-length when even surface walking, with and without a dual-task. On the uneven surface the DG walked more cautiously during regular walking but had improved gait velocity, cadence and step-length when performing serial-subtractions. Conclusions DfPD®-based classes produced clinically significant improvement on spatiotemporal gait parameters under dual-task conditions and on uneven surfaces. This could arise from improved movement confidence and coordination; emotional expression; cognitive skills (planning, multitasking), and; utilisation of external movement cues. A large-scale RCT of this program is warranted.Trial registration A protocol for this study has been registered retrospectively at Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry on 12.11.2018. Identifier: ACTRN12618001834246.

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