Gait velocity and step length at baseline predict outcome of Nordic walking training in patients with Parkinson's disease

Background: The efficacy of deep brain stimulation (DBS) and dopaminergic therapy is known to decrease over time. Hence, a new investigational approach combines implanting autologous injury-activated peripheral nerve grafts (APNG) at the time of bilateral DBS surgery to the globus pallidus interna. Objectives: In a study where APNG was unilaterally implanted into the substantia nigra, we explored the effects on clinical gait and balance assessments over two years in 14 individuals with Parkinson’s disease. Methods: Computerized gait and balance evaluations were performed without medication, and stimulation was in the off state for at least 12 h to best assess the role of APNG implantation alone. We hypothesized that APNG might improve gait and balance deficits associated with PD. Results: While people with a degenerative movement disorder typically worsen with time, none of the gait parameters significantly changed across visits in this 24 month study. The postural stability item in the UPDRS did not worsen from baseline to the 24-month follow-up. However, we measured gait and balance improvements in the two most affected individuals, who had moderate PD. In these two individuals, we observed an increase in gait velocity and step length that persisted over 6 and 24 months. Conclusions: Participants did not show worsening of gait and balance performance in the off therapy state two years after surgery, while the two most severely affected participants showed improved performance. Further studies may better address the long-term maintanenace of these results.

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Effects of mechanical stimulation of the feet on gait and cardiovascular autonomic control in Parkinson's disease

Journal of Applied Physiology ◽

10.1152/japplphysiol.01160.2013 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 116 (5) ◽

pp. 495-503 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Franca Barbic ◽

Manuela Galli ◽

Laura Dalla Vecchia ◽

Margherita Canesi ◽

Veronica Cimolin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Parkinson’S Disease ◽

Parkinson's Disease ◽

Three Dimensional ◽

Motor Impairment ◽

Rotation Velocity ◽

Step Length ◽

Autonomic Control ◽

Gait Velocity ◽

Central Processing ◽

Cardiovascular Autonomic Control

Motor impairment in Parkinson's disease (PD) is partly due to defective central processing of lower limb afferents. Concomitant alterations in cardiovascular autonomic control leading to orthostatic hypotension may worsen motor ability. We evaluated whether mechanical activation of feet sensory afferents could improve gait and modify the response of cardiovascular autonomic control to stressors in 16 patients (age 66 ± 2 yr) with idiopathic PD (Hoehn & Yhar scale 2–3) on their usual therapy. Eight subjects ( group A) were randomized to undergo skin pressure (0.58 ± 0.04 kg/mm2) stimulation at the hallux tip and first metatarsal joint (effective stimulation; ES) of both feet. Eight remaining patients ( group B) underwent sham stimulation (SS) followed by ES. Three-dimensional movement analysis provided quantitative indexes of movement disability before (baseline) and 24 h after ES and SS. Spectral analysis of heart rate and blood pressure variability provided markers of cardiac sympatho-vagal (LF/HF) and vascular sympathetic (LFSAP) modulations. Markers were measured at rest and during 75° head-up tilt, before and 24 h after ES and SS. After ES, step length and gait velocity increased, upright rotation velocity was enhanced, and step number was decreased. After ES, LFSAP declined. The increase in LF/HF and LFSAP induced by tilt was greater than before feet stimulation. No changes in gait and autonomic parameters were observed after SS. Twenty-four hours after ES, patients with PD showed improved gait and increased cardiac and vascular sympathetic modulation during upright position compared with baseline. Conversely, SS was ineffective on both movement and autonomic parameters, indicating a site specificity effect of the stimulation.

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

10.21203/rs.2.15431/v1 ◽

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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Gait biofeedback training in people with Parkinson’s disease: a pilot study

10.21203/rs.3.rs-277548/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Kate McMaster ◽

Michael H Cole ◽

Daniel Chalkley ◽

Mark W. Creaby

Keyword(s):

Parkinson’S Disease ◽

Parkinson's Disease ◽

Real Time ◽

Step Length ◽

Trial Registration ◽

Biofeedback Training ◽

Gait Velocity ◽

Post Intervention ◽

Trunk Motion ◽

Risk Of Falls

Abstract Background People with Parkinson’s disease (PD) are at a high risk of falls, with ~ 60% experiencing a fall each year. Greater mediolateral head and pelvis motion during gait are known to increase the risk of falling in PD, however the ability to modify these aspects of gait has not been examined. Thus, this study aimed to examine whether mediolateral trunk, head and pelvis motion during walking could be successfully decreased in people with PD using real-time biofeedback. Methods Participants were provided with real-time biofeedback regarding their mediolateral trunk lean via a visual projection whilst walking along an 8-metre indoor walkway. Using the feedback provided, they were asked to reduce the magnitude of their mediolateral trunk lean. Gait was recorded for four conditions (i) Baseline, (ii) Intervention, (iii) immediately Post-Intervention, and (iv) one-week Follow-Up. Biomechanical variables associated with falls risk were compared between conditions, including normalised mediolateral motion, gait velocity and stride length. Results A reduction in mediolateral trunk lean, step length and gait velocity from Baseline to the Intervention and Post-intervention conditions was observed. Contrary to this, increased normalised ML pelvis and trunk motion was observed between the Baseline and Intervention conditions, but returned to Baseline levels in the Post-Intervention condition. Conclusions Results from the current study suggest that real-time visual biofeedback may be effective at modifying specific gait characteristics that are associated with falls in PD. Further research is required to better understand the influence of this intervention approach has upon falls incidence. Trial Registration: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12620000994987. Registered 10 June 2020 - Retrospectively registered, https://anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=380324.

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Assessing the Relationship between the Enhanced Gait Variability Index and Falls in Individuals with Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson s Disease ◽

10.1155/2020/5813049 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2020 ◽

pp. 1-5 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Abigail C. Schmitt ◽

Sidney T. Baudendistel ◽

Michaela S. Fallon ◽

Jaimie A. Roper ◽

Chris J. Hass

Keyword(s):

Parkinson’S Disease ◽

Parkinson's Disease ◽

Step Length ◽

Gait Variability ◽

Gait Velocity ◽

Healthy Population ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Stance Time ◽

Variability Index ◽

Support Time

Gait impairment and increased gait variability are common among individuals with Parkinson’s disease (PD) and have been associated with increased risk for falls. The development of composite scores has gained interest to aggregate multiple aspects of gait into a single metric. The Enhanced Gait Variability Index (EGVI) was developed to compare an individual’s gait variability to the amount of variability in a healthy population, yet the EGVI’s individual parts may also provide important information that may be lost in this conversion. We sought to contrast individual gait measures as predictors of fall frequency and the EGVI as a single predictor of fall frequency in individuals with PD. 273 patients (189M, 84F; 68 ± 10 yrs) with idiopathic PD walked over an instrumented walkway and reported fall frequency over three months (never, rarely, monthly, weekly, or daily). The predictive ability of gait velocity, step length, step time, stance time, and single support time and the EGVI was assessed using regression techniques to predict fall frequency. The EGVI explained 15.1% of the variance in fall frequency (p<0.001, r = 0.389). Although the regression using the combined spatiotemporal measures to predict fall frequency was significant (p=0.002, r = 0.264), none of the components reached significance (gait velocity: p=0.640, step length: p=0.900, step time: p=0.525, stance time: p=0.532, single support time: p=0.480). The EGVI is a better predictor of fall frequency in persons with PD than its individual spatiotemporal components. Patients who fall more frequently have more variable gait, based on the interpretation of the EGVI. While the EGVI provides an objective measure of gait variability with some ability to predict fall frequency, full clinical interpretations and applications are currently unknown.

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Corelation of gait parameters, cognitive impairment and brain atrophy in patients with Parkinson’s disease and the «normally aging population»

Ukrainian Neurological Journal ◽

10.30978/unj2021-3-54 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

P. Y. Diachenko ◽

I. I. Leta ◽

G. S. Moskovko

Keyword(s):

Parkinson’S Disease ◽

Parkinson's Disease ◽

Cognitive Function ◽

Brain Atrophy ◽

Stride Length ◽

Aging Population ◽

Step Length ◽

Normal Aging ◽

Gait Velocity ◽

Gait Parameters

Objective — to identify the most significant markers of gait that indicate a decrease in cognitive function based on investigation of the corelation of cognitive impairment, gait parameters and atrophy of brain structures in groups of patients with Parkinson’s disease and the «normally aging population». Methods and subjects. 66 subjects were examined: 30 patients with Parkinson’s disease (mean age 54.9 ± 5.9, 50 % men) and 33 without neurological pathology (mean age 52.7 ± 7.6, 66 % men). All of them underwent neurological examination, assessment of temporal and spatial gait parameters using the GaitRite system, grading of brain atrophy using a comprehensive visual rating scale of MRI scans and assessment of cognitive status using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale. Results. Cognitive performance was significantly lower in the subgroup of patients with Parkinson’s disease compared to the subgroup of «normally aging population». The gait profile of patients with Parkinson’s disease significantly differed from the gait profile of individuals from the «normal aging» subgroup by slower gait velocity, shorter step length and stride length for both limbs. The gait parameters, which showed a strong correlation with cognitive tests, differed in the subgroups, but gait velocity, stride length and step length for both extremities were common among them. These common gait parameters showed a strong direct correlation with brain atrophy in the subgroup of patients with Parkinson’s disease, but only velocity correlated with atrophy in the subgroup of «normal aging» among all of them. It was determined by the method of multiple regression analysis that it was precisely the atrophy of the brain that turned out to be the most influential factor in the decrease in cognitive function in the general group and subgroups. Conclusions. The gait profile in Parkinson’s disease subgroup is characterized by lower velocity, shorter step length, stride length for both limbs and significantly differs from the subgroup of «normal aging». These changes are a consequence of the influence of the disease on the motor sphere. Velocity showed a strong correlation in both subgroups not only with cognitive abilities, but also with cerebral atrophy. This confirms the hypothesis about the possibility of using gait velocity as a universal sensitive marker for current and longitudinal assessment of cognitive function, especially in clinical practice.

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A feasibility study of dual-task strategy training to improve gait performance in patients with Parkinson’s disease

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-91858-0 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Bettina Wollesen ◽

Silvan Rudnik ◽

Alessandro Gulberti ◽

Thomas Cordes ◽

Christian Gerloff ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Parkinson’S Disease ◽

Parkinson's Disease ◽

Dual Task ◽

Step Length ◽

Strategy Training ◽

Walking Distance ◽

Gait Velocity ◽

Special Focus ◽

Gait Performance ◽

Gait Quality

AbstractGait disorders in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) impact their mobility and self-dependence. Gait training and dual-task (DT)-training improve gait quality. This study aims to assess the feasibility of a specific, gradually intensified DT-training for PD patients with a special focus on gait performance under single task (ST) and DT conditions. Correlations to Freezing of Gait (FoG) were examined. 17 PD patients (70.1 ± 7.4 years, H&Y Stadium 2–3, FoG-Q 9.0 ± 5.5) participated in a four-week DT-training (1x/week, 60 min) with progressively increasing task difficulty and number of tasks. Gait performance (spatiotemporal parameters) was assessed during ST and DT conditions. The training improved DT gait performance, especially gait velocity + 0.11 m/s; (F(2,16) = 7.163; p = .0171; η2part = .309) and step length (+ 5.73 cm). Also, physical well-being and absolved walking distance improved significantly. Correlation analyses of the FoG score at baseline with relative change of gait metrics post-training revealed significant correlations with training-induced changes of step length and improvement of gait velocity. Overall, the developed DT-training was feasible and effective. Further studies should examine the long-term benefits and the optimal setting to achieve the highest impact. The study was registered in the DRKS (ID DRKS00018084, 23.1.20).

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Quantitative Gait Analysis Using a Pose-Estimation Algorithm with a Single 2D-Video of Parkinson’s Disease Patients

Journal of Parkinson s Disease ◽

10.3233/jpd-212544 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-13

Author(s):

Jung Hwan Shin ◽

Ri Yu ◽

Jed Noel Ong ◽

Chan Young Lee ◽

Seung Ho Jeon ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Parkinson’S Disease ◽

Parkinson's Disease ◽

Pose Estimation ◽

Estimation Algorithm ◽

Step Length ◽

Video Tracking ◽

Gait Velocity ◽

Gait Parameters ◽

Validation Experiment ◽

Time Required

Background: Clinician-based rating scales or questionnaires for gait in Parkinson’s disease (PD) are subjective and sensor-based analysis is limited in accessibility. Objective: To develop an easily accessible and objective tool to evaluate gait in PD patients, we analyzed gait from a single 2-dimensional (2D) video. Methods: We prospectively recorded 2D videos of PD patients (n = 16) and healthy controls (n = 15) performing the timed up and go test (TUG). The gait was simultaneously evaluated with a pressure-sensor (GAITRite). We estimated the 3D position of toes and heels with a deep-learning based pose-estimation algorithm and calculated gait parameters including step length, step length variability, gait velocity and step cadence which was validated with the result from the GAITRite. We further calculated the time and steps required for turning. Then, we applied the algorithm to previously recorded and archived videos of PD patients (n = 32) performing the TUG. Results: From the validation experiment, gait parameters derived from video tracking were in excellent agreement with the parameters obtained with the GAITRite. (Intraclass correlation coefficient > 0.9). From the analysis with the archived videos, step length, gait velocity, number of steps, and the time required for turning were significantly correlated (Absolute R > 0.4, p < 0.005) with the Freezing of gait questionnaire, Unified PD Rating scale part III total score, HY stage and postural instability. Furthermore, the video-based tracking objectively measured significant improvement of step length, gait velocity, steps and the time required for turning with antiparkinsonian medication. Conclusion: 2D video-based tracking could objectively evaluate gait in PD patients.

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