scholarly journals Functional Performance and Associations between Performance Tests and Neurological Assessment Differ in Men and Women with Parkinson’s Disease

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kadri Medijainen ◽  
Mati Pääsuke ◽  
Aet Lukmann ◽  
Pille Taba

Background. Neurological assessment of a patient with Parkinson’s disease (PD) is expected to reflect upon functional performance. As women are known to report more limitations even for same observed functional performance level, present study was designed to examine whether associations between neurological assessments and functional performance differ across genders.Methods. 14 men and 14 women with PD participated. Functional performance was assessed by measuring walking speeds on 10-meter walk test (10MWT) and by performing timed-up-and-go-test (TUG). Neurological assessment included Hoehn and Yahr Scale (HY), Movement Disorders Society Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS), Schwab and England Activities of Daily Living Scale (S-E), and Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE).Results. In women with PD, Kendall’s tau-b correlation analyses revealed significant correlations between functional performance tests and neurological assessment measures, with the exception in MMSE. No corresponding associations were found for men, although they demonstrated better functional performance, as expected.Conclusion. Men in similar clinical stage of the PD perform better on functional tests than women. Disease severity reflects upon functional performance differently in men and women with PD. Results indicate that when interpreting the assessment results of both functional performance and neurological assessment tests, the gender of the patient should be taken into consideration.

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S914-S914
Author(s):  
Ingrid A Pretzer-Aboff ◽  
and Ronald K Elswick

Abstract People with Parkinson’s disease (PD) have a proclivity to falling. Early identification and treatment of PD patients with a high risk of falling is important to decrease morbidity, mortality, and improve quality of life. We compared functional performance tests and balance tests in people with PD to determine which tests predict fallers. Sixty participants were recruited, mean age 71.4 y.o. (range 55 – 89), 43 were male, and 34 were identified as fallers (defined as having fallen at least twice in the past year). A logistic regression model was built to determine which functional performance and balance tests would best predict fallers. Predictors in the model included Hoehn and Yahr stage of disease, Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), Barthel Index, Timed Up and Go (TUG), Tinetti Balance Assessment, Berg Balance Scale, and results from a force plate that recorded sway in both static and dynamic conditions (open eyes and closed eyes). Correlations among predictor variables were assessed for multicollinearity and were less than 0.8. Using both a forward and backward stepwise approach, the best prediction model included Tinetti Balance Total score only. ROC analysis yielded an area under the curve of 74% with a cutoff of 13 which had a diagnostic accuracy of 68.8% with an 83% specificity and 56% sensitivity. Given that the cost of treatment for an injurious fall far exceeds preventative measures a clinician may opt to use a cut off of 14 when using the Tinetti Balance Assessment given an 70% specificity and 68% sensitivity.


Author(s):  
Pei Huang ◽  
Yuan-Yuan Li ◽  
Jung E. Park ◽  
Ping Huang ◽  
Qin Xiao ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT: We investigated the effects of botulinum toxin on gait in Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients with foot dystonia. Six patients underwent onabotulinum toxin A injection and were assessed by Burke–Fahn–Marsden Dystonia Rating Scale (BFMDRS), visual analog scale (VAS) of pain, Timed Up and Go (TUG), Berg Balance Test (BBT), and 3D gait analysis at baseline, 1 month, and 3 months. BFMDRS (p = 0.002), VAS (p = 0.024), TUG (p = 0.028), and BBT (p = 0.034) were improved. Foot pressures at Toe 1 (p = 0.028) and Midfoot (p = 0.018) were reduced, indicating botulinum toxin’s effects in alleviating the dystonia severity and pain and improving foot pressures during walking in PD.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S474-S475
Author(s):  
Dennis W Klima ◽  
Jeremy Stewart ◽  
Frank Freijomil ◽  
Mary DiBartolo

Abstract While considerable research has targeted gait, balance and preventing falls in individuals with Parkinson’s disease (PD), less in known about the ability to rise from the floor in this population. The aims of this study were to 1) Examine the relationship between locomotion and physical performance tests and the timed supine to stand performance measure and to 2) Identify both the time required and predominant motor patterns utilized by persons with PD to complete to floor rise transition. A cross-sectional design was utilized. Twenty community-dwelling older adults with PD (mean age 74.8+/-9.5 years; 13 men) performed a standardized floor rise test and locomotion tests in a structured task circuit. Subject demographic and anthropometric data were also collected. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics and Pearson Product Moment correlations. Fifteen subjects (75%) demonstrated the crouch kneel pattern and fourteen (70%) used an all-4’s strategy to rise to stand. The mean time to rise from the floor was 14.9 (+/- 7.6) seconds and slower than published norms for persons without PD. Nine subjects required the use of a chair to perform floor recovery. Supine to stand performance time was significantly correlated with the: Dynamic Gait Index (r= - 0.66; p<0.002), Five Times Sit to Stand Test (r=0.78; p<0.001), Timed Up and Go Test (r=0.74; p<0.001), and gait velocity (r= -0.77; p<0.001). Rising from the floor demonstrates concurrent validity with locomotion and physical performance tests. Floor recovery techniques can be incorporated in fall prevention initiatives in conjunction with PD symptom management.


2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 55-63
Author(s):  
Vered Aharonson ◽  
Nabeel Seedat ◽  
Simon Israeli-Korn ◽  
Sharon Hassin-Baer ◽  
Michiel Postema ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Treatment plans for Parkinson’s disease (PD) are based on a disease stage scale, which is generally determined using a manual, observational procedure. Automated, sensor-based discrimination saves labor and costs in clinical settings and may offer augmented stage determination accuracy. Previous automated devices were either cumbersome or costly and were not suitable for individuals who cannot walk without support.Methods: Since 2017, a device has been available that successfully detects PD and operates for people who cannot walk without support. In the present study, the suitability of this device for automated discrimination of PD stages was tested. The device consists of a walking frame fitted with sensors to simultaneously support walking and monitor patient gait. Sixty-five PD patients in Hoehn and Yahr (HY) stages 1 to 4 and 24 healthy controls were subjected to supported Timed Up and Go (TUG) tests, while using the walking frame. The walking trajectory, velocity, acceleration and force were recorded by the device throughout the tests. These physical parameters were converted into symptomatic spatiotemporal quantities that are conventionally used in PD gait assessment.Results: An analysis of variance (ANOVA) test extended by a confidence interval (CI) analysis indicated statistically significant separability between HY stages for the following spatiotemporal quantities: TUG time (p < 0.001), straight line walking time (p < 0.001), turning time (p < 0.001), and step count (p < 0.001). A negative correlation was obtained for mean step velocity (p < 0.001) and mean step length (p < 0.001). Moreover, correlations were established between these, as well as additional spatiotemporal quantities, and disease duration, L-dihydroxyphenylalanine-(L-DOPA) dose, motor fluctuation, dyskinesia and the mobile part of the Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS).Conclusions: We have proven that stage discrimination of PD can be automated, even to patients who cannot support themselves. A similar method might be successfully applied to other gait disorders.


2020 ◽  
Vol 47 (4) ◽  
pp. 415-426
Author(s):  
Hsiu-Chen Chang ◽  
Chiung-Chu Chen ◽  
Yi-Hsin Weng ◽  
Wei-Da Chiou ◽  
Ya-Ju Chang ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have suggested that cognitive-motor dual-task (DT) training might improve gait performance, locomotion automaticity, balance, and cognition in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD). OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate the efficacy of cognitive-cycling DT training in patients with early-stage PD. METHODS: Participants were scheduled to perform cognitive tasks simultaneously with the cycling training twice per week for eight weeks for a total of 16 sessions during their on-states. Clinical assessments were conducted using the unified Parkinson’s disease rating scale (UPDRS), modified Hoehn and Yahr stage, Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, gait and cognitive performances under dual-task paradigm, the new freezing of gait questionnaire, Schwab and England Activities of Daily Living scale, 39-item Parkinson’s disease questionnaire, and cognitive performance. RESULTS: Thirteen eligible patients were enrolled in the study. The mean age was 60.64±5.32 years, and the mean disease duration was 7.02±3.23 years. Twelve PD patients completed 16 serial cognitive-cycling sessions for two months. After 16 sessions of training (T2), the UPDRS III scores improved significantly in both the off- and on-states, and TUG were significantly less than those at pretraining (T0). During both the single-task and the DT situations, gait performance and spatial memory cognitive performance significantly improved from T0 to T2. CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrated that cognitive-cycling DT training improves the motor functions, gait and cognitive performances of PD patients.


2008 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 96-101 ◽  
Author(s):  
Florindo Stella ◽  
Claudio Eduardo Muller Banzato ◽  
Elizabeth Maria Aparecida Barasnevicius Quagliato ◽  
Maura Aparecida Viana ◽  
Gustavo Christofoletti

Abstract Functional decline in Parkinson's disease (PD), characterized by reduced ability to carry out activities of daily living, usually results from typical motor impairment and may be aggravated by concomitant cognitive impairment. Objective: To compare the functional decline in Parkinson's disease between patients with dementia and cognitively preserved patients. Methods: From an original sample composed of 50 patients with a clinical diagnosis of idiopathic PD seen in a consecutive series, 33 non-depressed patients were selected comprising 13 with dementia and 20 cognitively preserved individuals. All patients enrolled in this study were drawn from a public outpatient clinic, specialized in movement disorders. The clinical stage of PD was determined by the Hoehn & Yahr scale, and the functional capacity was verified using the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale UPDRS ADL (subscale II: activities of daily living) and the Schwab & England scale. The two last scales measure the functional degree of independence in activities of daily living. The neuropsychological assessment was performed using The Cambridge Examination for Mental Disorders of the Elderly - CAMCOG, Cognitive Section and the Stroop Color Word Test. Results: As expected, in comparison with cognitively preserved patients, the group with dementia presented significantly lower scores throughout the neuropsychological evaluation. The patients with dementia were found to have a longer period of disease, a more advanced clinical staging according to the Hoehn & Yahr, and greater functional decline according both to the UPDRS ADL and Schwab & England, with statistically significant difference between the groups. Conclusion: Patients with dementia were at a more advanced clinical stage of Parkinson's disease and evidenced greater functional decline in comparison with patients without dementia.


2017 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 691-701
Author(s):  
Maria Eduarda Brandão Bueno ◽  
Ana Carolina dos Reis Andrello ◽  
Marcelle Brandão Terra ◽  
Hevely Beatriz Celestino dos Santos ◽  
Júlia Marson Marquioli ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction: Gait impairments are one of the earliest signs reported by patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) and cause an increased number of falls and decreased quality of life among these patients. Objective: To compare the effectiveness of three physical therapy interventions using Rhythmic Cues (RC), Swiss Ball (SB) and Dual Task (DT), with an emphasis on gait treatment (step and stride length, duration and velocity), in individuals with PD. Methods: Quasi-randomized clinical trial addressing a sample composed of 45 individuals assigned to three groups. The individuals were assessed before and after the intervention protocol using the following: Modified Hoehn and Yahr Scale (HY), Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), Footprint analysis, Video Gait analysis, and Timed Up and Go Test (TUG). The groups were homogeneous concerning age, HY and UPDRS. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS, version 20.0. Results: Statistically significant differences were found in all the variables analyzed in the RC and SB groups when compared in the pre- and post-intervention. With the exception of the TUG variable, the DT group presented statistically significant differences in all the remaining variables. Conclusion: The three interventions were effective for the outcomes under study, but the SB group presented the greatest magnitude of change (effect size), while the RC group presented the greatest improvement in the temporal gait variables (duration and velocity) and TUG.


2009 ◽  
Vol 23 (7) ◽  
pp. 657-661 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jooeun Song ◽  
Beth E. Fisher ◽  
Giselle Petzinger ◽  
Allan Wu ◽  
James Gordon ◽  
...  

Background. The Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) is the “gold standard” assessment tool for characterizing impairments in persons with Parkinson’s disease (PD); however, this scale’s ability to predict functional capabilities across different functional tasks has not been adequately assessed in persons with early-stage PD. Methods. Thirty persons with PD within 3 years of diagnosis and without motor fluctuation performed self-selected walking, fast walking, and sit-to-stand and stair-climbing tasks. Pearson’s correlation coefficients were used to calculate correlations with a standard UPDRS examination ( P < .05). Simple linear regression models were used to fit each functional performance outcome measure with the UPDRS total predictor scores. Results. The correlations between the UPDRS motor (section III), UPDRS total scores, and all timed functional performance measures were fair to good (range, 0.45-0.57). Conversely, only greater self-selected time to walk 50 ft correlated with a higher UPDRS activities of daily living (II) score ( r = .386; P < .05). Conclusions. The UPDRS motor (III) and total scores may be good predictors of overall lower extremity function in persons with early-stage PD. Understanding the relationships between UPDRS scores and functional capabilities may allow clinicians to better quantify early physical functioning, longitudinally assess disease progression, and assess the efficacy of interventions.


2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lorena R. S. Almeida ◽  
Guilherme T. Valença ◽  
Nádja N. Negreiros ◽  
Elen B. Pinto ◽  
Jamary Oliveira-Filho

Falls can be considered a disabling feature in Parkinson’s disease. We aimed to identify risk factors for falling, testing simultaneously the ability of disease-specific and balance-related measures. We evaluated 171 patients, collecting demographic and clinical data, including standardized assessments with the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), activities of daily living (ADL) and motor sections, modified Hoehn and Yahr Scale, Schwab and England, eight-item Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire, Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale, Falls Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I), Berg Balance Scale, Dynamic Gait Index, Functional Reach, and Timed Up and Go. ROC curves were constructed to determine the cutoff scores for all measures. Variables withP<0.1entered a logistic regression model. The prevalence of recurrent falls was 30% (95% CI 24%–38%). In multivariate analysis, independent risk factors for recurrent falls were (P<0.05) levodopa equivalent dose (OR = 1.283 per 100 mg increase; 95% CI = 1.092–1.507), UPDRS-ADL > 16 points (OR = 10.0; 95% CI = 3.6–28.3), FES-I > 30 points (OR = 6.0; 95% CI = 1.6–22.6), and Berg ≤ 48 points (OR = 3.9; 95% CI = 1.2–12.7).We encourage the utilization of these modifiable risk factors in the screening of fall risk.


Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (8) ◽  
pp. 2821
Author(s):  
Chariklia Chatzaki ◽  
Vasileios Skaramagkas ◽  
Nikolaos Tachos ◽  
Georgios Christodoulakis ◽  
Evangelia Maniadi ◽  
...  

Gait analysis is crucial for the detection and management of various neurological and musculoskeletal disorders. The identification of gait events is valuable for enhancing gait analysis, developing accurate monitoring systems, and evaluating treatments for pathological gait. The aim of this work is to introduce the Smart-Insole Dataset to be used for the development and evaluation of computational methods focusing on gait analysis. Towards this objective, temporal and spatial characteristics of gait have been estimated as the first insight of pathology. The Smart-Insole dataset includes data derived from pressure sensor insoles, while 29 participants (healthy adults, elderly, Parkinson’s disease patients) performed two different sets of tests: The Walk Straight and Turn test, and a modified version of the Timed Up and Go test. A neurologist specialized in movement disorders evaluated the performance of the participants by rating four items of the MDS-Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale. The annotation of the dataset was performed by a team of experienced computer scientists, manually and using a gait event detection algorithm. The results evidence the discrimination between the different groups, and the verification of established assumptions regarding gait characteristics of the elderly and patients suffering from Parkinson’s disease.


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