The effect of a multi-modal boxing exercise program on cognitive locomotor tasks and gait in persons with Parkinson disease

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Staci Shearin ◽  
Michael Braitsch ◽  
Ross Querry

BACKGROUND: Parkinson disease (PD) is a progressive neurological disease resulting in motor impairments, postural instability, and gait alterations which may result in self-care limitations and loss of mobility reducing quality of life. OBJECTIVE: This study’s purpose was to determine the impact of a community-based boxing program on gait parameters, dual task and backwards walking in individuals with PD. METHODS: This study included 26 community dwelling individuals with PD who participated in 12-week boxing classes (1 hour, 2 times a week). The focus was on upper/lower extremity exercises using punching bags, agility drills, and strengthening activities. Pre/post testing was performed for dual task and gait parameters and was analyzed using t-tests. RESULTS: Analysis of the scores indicated participants performed significantly better at post-test compared to pre-test on self-selected walking velocity (P = 0.041), cadence (P = 0.021); backwards walking velocity (P = 0.003), step length (P = 0.022); dual task walking velocity (P = 0.044), step length (P = 0.023), and gait variability index (P = 0.008). No significant differences for fast walking. CONCLUSIONS: Multi-modal boxing produced improvements in gait velocity, dual task velocity, step length, and gait variability, as well as backwards walking velocity and step length. These improvements may impact independence with functional mobility and may improve safety but require further studies.

Author(s):  
Suzanne O’Neal ◽  
Megan Eikenberry ◽  
Byron Russell

The objective of this study was to assess the effects of dog walking on gait and mobility in people with Parkinson disease (PD). This single-group, single-session, observational pilot study included nineteen participants with PD in Hoehn and Yahr stages II (n = 9) and III (n = 10). Primary measures were a gait analysis and the Timed Up and Go (TUG). Three trials of two conditions (walking with and without a dog) were completed. Walking with a dog resulted in slower gait velocity (mean difference = 0.11 m/s, p = 0.003, d = 0.77), shorter step length (left: mean difference = 7.11 cm, p = 0.000; right: mean difference = 3.05, p = 0.01), and stride length (left: mean difference = 7.52, p = 0.003; right: mean difference = 8.74, p = 0.001). The base of support was more narrowed (Z = −2.13, p = 0.03), with increased double limb stance time (left: Z = −2.89, p = 0.004; right: Z = −2.59, p = 0.01). Walking with a dog caused slower TUG times (mean difference = −1.67, p = 0.000) and increased number of steps (Z = −3.73, p = 0.000). No significant change shown in step time (left: mean difference = −0.001, p = 0.81; right: mean difference = 0.002, p = 0.77) or cadence (Z = −1.67, p = 0.10). In conclusion, there was an overall decline of gait parameters in people with PD when walking with a dog.


2014 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. 445-452 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rita C. Guedes ◽  
Rosângela C. Dias ◽  
Leani S. M. Pereira ◽  
Sílvia L. A. Silva ◽  
Lygia P. Lustosa ◽  
...  

1970 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-62 ◽  
Author(s):  
Darija Rugelj ◽  
Marija Tomšič ◽  
France Sevšek

Elderly people are the most vulnerable group in urban traffic and a large proportion of them are as pedestrians victims of traffic accidents. The majority of these happen while crossing the road. Crossing a busy road at an intersection with traffic lights or without them is a typical dual task condition requiring a motor task i.e. walking and a cognitive task such as monitoring traffic. The purpose of present study was to compare the walking speed and the related spatio-temporal gait variables of fallers and non-fallers in three walking conditions against the speeds required by regulations in Slovenia for safe street crossing. To assess the spatio-temporal characteristics of gait we used a 7m instrumented walkway.The general results showed that the spatio-temporal gait parameters did not differ between the two groups at the self-selected speed. But as soon as a constraint, such as fast walking speed, was imposed on the subjects the differences between the groups became evident. Fallers demonstrated a significantly slower mean gait velocity and shorter stride length while the cadence and the base of support did not differ between the two groups. In dual task conditions the difference between the two groups reached 25 percent. The fallers group gait velocity dropped to 0.99 m/s. The observed walking speed was slower than considered by the guidelines for the design of traffic light equipped road crossing.In conclusion, the results of walking speed under dual task conditions could be a useful parameter for planning of optimal pedestrian crossing in urban areas. These results will serve for the design of a population based study in Ljubljana.


Author(s):  
Aušra Stuopelytė ◽  
Rasa Šakalienė

Parkinson’s disease is a chronic progressive neurological disorder that can impact function to a variable degree. Changes in gait parameters are the most common signs of Parkinson’s disease. Patients with Parkinson’s disease walk with a reduced step length, step time, walking velocity and walking cadence, increased stride cycle time, coefficient of variation of the step amplitude and step time and increased risk to fall. So, various gait training methods are applied. The effect of rhythmic auditory stimulation on gait in Parkinson’s disease patients is analysed. We can use various kinds of music, metronome, scansion and clapping as a rhythmic auditory stimulation.One of gait training methods in Parkinson’s disease patients is treadmill training. There are attempts to combine treadmill training with transcranial magnetic stimulation and virtual reality. We can use Nordic walking method and because walking technique requires straight posture, trunk rotation, bigger step and heel stride. More often robot–assisted gait training is used in patients with Parkinson’s disease gait training. The effect of dual–tasking and walking with music methods for gait and balance training in patients with Parkinson’s disease is also analysed. This method requires participants to perform primary and secondary tasks at the same time. The secondary task can be cognitive or motor. Dual–tasking is widely analysed because opinions about applying this method are very controversial. Walking with music method is more often analysed in scientific literature. This method could not be compared to rhythmic auditory stimulation method because the latter requires precise walking to rhythm and walking with music method is oriented to emotional component (music is chosen according patients’ music taste). As these methods are applied, we can see an increase in chosen walking and maximal walking velocities, step length and time, distance covered, and decrease in the coefficient of variation of the step time and turning time.Keywords: Gait impairments, walking velocity, rhythmic auditory stimulation.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
IlHyun Son ◽  
GyuChang Lee

Abstract Background: It has been reported the effects of a hinged ankle-foot orthosis on the gait ability of children with cerebral palsy. However, no studies investigated the effects of the dorsiflexion angle of the hinged ankle-foot orthosis on the spatiotemporal gait parameters of children with cerebral palsy. This study aimed to investigate the immediate effects of a 10° dorsiflexion inducing ankle-foot orthosis the spatiotemporal gait parameters of children with spastic diplegia compared to barefoot and a hinged ankle-foot orthosis.Methods: This study was cross-over design. 10 children with spastic diplegia were walked with barefoot, a hinged ankle-foot orthosis, and a 10° dorsiflexion inducing ankle-foot orthosis. GAITRite was used to collect the spatiotemporal gait parameters including gait velocity, cadence, step length, stride length, single leg support, and double leg support. Results: It showed that a 10° dorsiflexion inducing ankle-foot orthosis significantly improved the gait velocity, cadence, step length, stride length, single leg support, and double leg support than barefoot and a hinged ankle-foot orthosis (p<.05). Conclusion: The results of this study implied that a 10° dorsiflexion inducing ankle-foot orthosis could improve the gait ability of children with spastic diplegia more than barefoot or a hinged ankle-foot orthosis. High quality future studies will need to examine the effects of hinged ankle-foot orthosis on gait ability according to dorsiflexion angles.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Toby J Ellmers ◽  
Elmar C Kal ◽  
James K Richardson ◽  
William R Young

Abstract Background Overly cautious gait is common in older adults. This is characterised by excessively slow gait, shortened steps, broadened base of support and increased double limb support. The current study sought to (1) evaluate if overly cautious gait is associated with attempts to consciously process walking movements, and (2) explore whether an individual’s ability to rapidly inhibit a dominant motor response serves to mitigate this relationship. Methods A total of 50 older adults walked at a self-selected pace on an instrumented walkway containing two raised wooden obstacles (height = 23 cm). Trait conscious movement processing was measured with the Movement-Specific Reinvestment Scale. Short-latency inhibitory function was assessed using a validated electronic go/no-go ruler catch protocol. We used linear regressions to explore the relationship between these variables and gait parameters indicative of overly cautious gait. Results When controlling for general cognitive function (MoCA), and functional balance (Berg Balance Scale), the interaction between trait conscious movement processing and short-latency inhibition capacity significantly predicted gait velocity, step length and double limb support. Specifically, older adults with higher trait conscious movement processing and poorer inhibition were more likely to exhibit gait characteristics indicative of cautious gait (i.e. reduced velocity, shorter step lengths and increased double limb support). Neither conscious movement processing nor inhibition independently predicted gait performance. Conclusion The combination of excessive movement processing tendencies and poor short-latency inhibitory capacity was associated with dysfunctional or ‘overly cautious’ gait. It is therefore plausible that improvement in either factor may lead to improved gait and reduced fall risk.


Author(s):  
Orna A Donoghue ◽  
Siobhan Leahy ◽  
Rose Anne Kenny

Abstract Background Diabetes is associated with gait deficits, future falls, and disability; however, it is unclear if associations remain after controlling for relevant confounders. This study investigated (i) the effects of type II diabetes on spatiotemporal gait parameters in community-dwelling older adults and (ii) if diabetes status was independently associated with future falls and disability, after controlling for gait and other confounders. Method Baseline data were obtained from 2608 community-dwelling adults (≥60 years) participating in The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA). Diabetes was identified from self-reported doctors’ diagnosis, medications, and glycated hemoglobin levels. Gait characteristics were obtained during single- and dual-task walking using a GAITRite mat (n = 2560). Incident falls and disability were collected over 4 years follow-up (n = 2473). Associations between diabetes status and gait (cross-sectional) and falls and disability (longitudinal) were investigated using regression analysis, adjusting for medications, cardiovascular health, neuropsychological function, and fall-related factors. Results Diabetes (prevalence = 9.1%) was cross-sectionally associated with shorter dual-task step length after adjusting for covariates (β = −1.59, 95% CI: −3.10, −0.08, p &lt; .05). Diabetes was independently associated with increased risk of future instrumental activity of daily living (IADL) difficulty in those with no prior difficulty (incidence rate ratio [IRR] = 1.51, 95% CI: 1.08, 2.11, p &lt; .05) although dual-task step length was an important confounder in all disability models. No independent associations between diabetes and falls were observed. Conclusions Diabetes was independently associated with shorter dual-task step length and increased risk of future IADL difficulty. Multidimensional interventions addressing poor health and function in those with diabetes may help reduce the risk of gait deficits and future disability.


2014 ◽  
Vol 644-650 ◽  
pp. 167-170 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yong Chen ◽  
Sheng Lin ◽  
Rong Hua Li ◽  
Lian Dong Zhang

The movement processes of the older people during walking on level ground were captured by the high-speed video camera with the speed of 500 frames per second. The gait parameters of the older people during walking on level ground were obtained by the quantitative analysis of the successive photographs captured by the high-speed video camera. Kinematics features of the older people during walking on level ground were discussed. Along with the growth of the age, step velocity, step frequency and step length were reduced, and gait cycle was rising. According to the morphology of the older people during walking on level ground, a mechanical model was put forward to aid the design of the exoskeleton walking robot. The couple walking characteristics between the older wearer and the exoskeleton walking robot was studied. In the single support phase of the exoskeleton walking robot, the change of the hip joint was gradually decreased to provide the driving force for the stable walk, the change of the knee joint was increased and following decreased and then increased to forward the older people's body center of gravity, and the change of the ankle joint was gradually increased to reduce the impact force of the ground. The results would provide the basic theory to bionic references for improving the reasonable properties of the exoskeleton walking robot. This work would provide certain theoretical and practical base in developing the exoskeleton walking robot on bionic structural design.


2014 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 324-333 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lars Donath ◽  
Oliver Faude ◽  
Stephanie A. Bridenbaugh ◽  
Ralf Roth ◽  
Martin Soltermann ◽  
...  

This study examined transfer effects of fall training on fear of falling (Falls Efficacy Scale—International [FES–I]), balance performance, and spatiotemporal gait characteristics in older adults. Eighteen community-dwelling older adults (ages 65–85) were randomly assigned to an intervention or control group. The intervention group completed 12 training sessions (60 min, 6 weeks). During pre- and posttesting, we measured FES–I, balance performance (double limb, closed eyes; single limb, open eyes; double limb, open eyes with motor-interfered task), and gait parameters (e.g., velocity; cadence; stride time, stride width, and stride length; variability of stride time and stride length) under single- and motor-interfered tasks. Dual tasks were applied to appraise improvements of cognitive processing during balance and gait. FES–I (p = .33) and postural sway did not significantly change (0.36 < p < .79). Trends toward significant interaction effects were found for step width during normal walking and stride length variability during the motor dual task (p = .05, ηp2 = .22). Fall training did not sufficiently improve fear of falling, balance, or gait performance under single- or dual-task conditions in healthy older adults.


2012 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 33 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruno De Souza Moreira ◽  
Renata Noce Kirkwood ◽  
Andréa De Jesus Lopes ◽  
Rosângela Corrêa Dias ◽  
Rosana Ferreira Sampaio

Gait is an important functional activity that elderly individuals used to stay active and be ableto perform their daily living tasks. The purpose of this study was to determine what gait parameterscould discriminate a group of community-dwelling elderly women regularly enrolledin a physical exercise program compared to a paired sedentary group. Participated 145women (65 to 83 years) separated into two groups based on the guidelines of the AmericanCollege of Sports Medicine (2007): sedentary (n = 52) and active (n = 93). Eight gait variableswere recorded using the GAITRite® system (velocity normalized by length of lower limbs, stancetime, swing time, double support time, step time, step length, base width and cadence).Factorial analysis followed by discriminant analysis was performed to determine which variablescould best discriminate the sedentary group from the active group. Factorial analysisresulted in 4 factors which explained 98.7% of the data variability. Factor 3 (composed of steplength and velocity) explained 11.8% of the data variability and was the only factor to discriminatethe groups. When the original variables from Factor 3 were analyzed, gait velocity wasthe most discriminant variable, with a much higher discriminant coeffi cient (-0.999) than steplength (-0.022). Gait velocity and step length could be used as a screening tool to discriminatebetween active and sedentary elderly women.


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