scholarly journals The Effects of Dog Walking on Gait and Mobility in People with Parkinson Disease: A Pilot Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (5) ◽  
pp. 1549
Author(s):  
Suzanne O’Neal ◽  
Megan Eikenberry ◽  
Byron Russell
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Parkinson Disease ◽  
Step Length ◽  
Mean Difference ◽  
Gait Velocity ◽  
Timed Up And Go ◽  
Dog Walking ◽  
Gait Parameters ◽  
Stance Time ◽  
Base Of Support

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.

scholarly journals Short-latency inhibition mitigates the relationship between conscious movement processing and overly cautious gait

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Toby J Ellmers ◽  
Elmar C Kal ◽  
James K Richardson ◽  
William R Young
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Step Length ◽  
Berg Balance Scale ◽  
Short Latency ◽  
Gait Velocity ◽  
Functional Balance ◽  
Inhibitory Function ◽  
Gait Parameters ◽  
Base Of Support ◽  
The Relationship

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.

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
Keyword(s):  
Parkinson Disease ◽  
Dual Task ◽  
Step Length ◽  
Gait Variability ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Functional Mobility ◽  
Gait Velocity ◽  
Gait Parameters ◽  
Walking Velocity ◽  
The Impact

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.

The Effects of Ankle Joint Mobilization on Dorsiflexion Range and Gait Parameters in Chronic Stroke Survivors: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

2021 ◽  
pp. 251660852098287
Author(s):  
Hariharasudhan Ravichandran ◽  
Balamurugan Janakiraman
Keyword(s):  
Ankle Joint ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Step Length ◽  
Chronic Stroke ◽  
Gait Velocity ◽  
Stroke Survivors ◽  
Timed Up And Go ◽  
Unaffected Side ◽  
Joint Mobilization ◽  
Gait Parameters

Background: Ankle dorsiflexion movement restriction is a common presentation in most of the chronic stroke survivors. Spasticity and connective tissue changes around ankle, limits dorsiflexion, and interferes with balance and gait performances. Improving functional range of dorsiflexion is essential in post-stroke rehabilitation. Objectives: This meta-analysis analyzed the effects of ankle mobilization techniques in improving dorsiflexion range and gait parameters among chronic stroke survivors. Method: Articles published up to July 2020 were searched in CINAHL, PubMed, Embase, PsyINFO, and OpenGrey. English version of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the effects of ankle joint mobilization among chronic stroke subjects, with dorsiflexion range of motion (ROM) and gait parameters as outcome, were included. Characteristics of participants, interventions, outcome measure, and measures of variability were extracted. Methodological quality of included trials was assessed using PEDro scale and Cochrane Collaboration tool for the risk of bias. Pooled standardized mean difference was calculated using random effects model for dorsiflexion ROM, gait velocity, step length, cadence, and timed up and go (TUG). Results: Eight RCTs including 226 stroke patients, with mean methodological score of 6 out of 10 in PEDro, were eligible for this meta-analysis. Ankle joint mobilization demonstrated statistically significant improvement on passive dorsiflexion ROM, gait velocity, step length (affected side), and cadence outcomes. Nonsignificance was found in step length (unaffected side) and in TUG. Conclusion: The ankle mobilization techniques are effective in improving passive dorsiflexion ROM, gait velocity, and cadence in chronic stroke survivors. However, the retention effect of ankle mobilization among stroke subjects is not known.

scholarly journals Human Gait Analysis Metric for Gait Retraining

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Tyagi Ramakrishnan ◽  
Seok Hun Kim ◽  
Kyle B. Reed
Keyword(s):  
Reaction Force ◽  
Step Length ◽  
Human Gait ◽  
Gait Velocity ◽  
Timed Up And Go ◽  
Gait Parameters ◽  
Gait Asymmetry ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Single Number ◽  
Human Gait Analysis

The combined gait asymmetry metric (CGAM) provides a method to synthesize human gait motion. The metric is weighted to balance each parameter’s effect by normalizing the data so all parameters are more equally weighted. It is designed to combine spatial, temporal, kinematic, and kinetic gait parameter asymmetries. It can also combine subsets of the different gait parameters to provide a more thorough analysis. The single number quantifying gait could assist robotic rehabilitation methods to optimize the resulting gait patterns. CGAM will help define quantitative thresholds for achievable balanced overall gait asymmetry. The study presented here compares the combined gait parameters with clinical measures such as timed up and go (TUG), six-minute walk test (6MWT), and gait velocity. The comparisons are made on gait data collected on individuals with stroke before and after twelve sessions of rehabilitation. Step length, step time, and swing time showed a strong correlation to CGAM, but the double limb support asymmetry has nearly no correlation with CGAM and ground reaction force asymmetry has a weak correlation. The CGAM scores were moderately correlated with TUG and strongly correlated to 6MWT and gait velocity.

Comparison of gait parameters of pregnant women with non-pregnant women

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Bosede Abidemi Tella ◽  
Olufunke Adewumi Ajiboye ◽  
Daniel Olufemi Odebiyi ◽  
Oluwatoyin Mauren Johnson ◽  
Rose Ihuoma Anorlu
Keyword(s):  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Body Shape ◽  
Step Length ◽  
Gait Training ◽  
Gait Pattern ◽  
Gait Velocity ◽  
Gait Parameters ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Base Of Support ◽  
Apparently Healthy

Background/Aims The changes in body weight, body shape and hormones of pregnant women alter the posture and gait pattern of these individuals compared to non-pregnant women. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of pregnancy on selected gait parameters by evaluating footprints at the second and third trimesters of pregnancy and comparing with apparently healthy, non-pregnant women. Methods A total of 40 consenting women (20 pregnant and 20 non-pregnant age-matched women) aged 22–35 years old (mean 28.25±0.68 years) participated in this study. Footprints were obtained from each participant and selected gait parameters were computed from the footprints. Paired t-tests and independent t-tests were used to compare the variables at P<0.05. Results There was a significant difference in the gait parameters measured between the pregnant and non-pregnant women: gait velocity (P=0.001), cadence (P=0.001), right foot angle (P=0.001), left foot angle (P=0.002), base of support (P=0.001), right step length (P=0.001), left step length (P=0.001). However, there was no significant difference in the gait parameters measured between the pregnant women in their second and third trimesters. Conclusions Pregnancy is associated with significant changes in most gait variables compared to non-pregnant women, although no significant change was observed between the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. The inclusion of gait training during antenatal care may help reduce the effect on the musculoskeletal system.

Immediate Effects of the Dorsiflexion Angle of Hinged Ankle-foot Orthosis on the Spatiotemporal Gait Parameters of Children With Spastic Cerebral Palsy

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
IlHyun Son ◽  
GyuChang Lee
Keyword(s):  
Cerebral Palsy ◽  
Stride Length ◽  
Step Length ◽  
Gait Velocity ◽  
Spastic Cerebral Palsy ◽  
Spastic Diplegia ◽  
Ankle Foot Orthosis ◽  
Gait Parameters ◽  
Children With Cerebral Palsy ◽  
Foot Orthosis

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.

scholarly journals A Mobile App Specifically Designed to Facilitate Exercise in Parkinson Disease: Single-Cohort Pilot Study on Feasibility, Safety, and Signal of Efficacy

10.2196/18985 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (10) ◽  
pp. e18985
Author(s):  
Merrill R Landers ◽  
Terry D Ellis
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Adverse Events ◽  
Parkinson Disease ◽  
Exercise Program ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Medical Attention ◽  
Timed Up And Go ◽  
Serious Adverse Events ◽  
Primary Endpoints ◽  
Single Cohort

Background Many people with Parkinson disease do not have access to exercise programs that are specifically tailored to their needs and capabilities. This mobile app allows people with Parkinson disease to access Parkinson disease–specific exercises that are individually tailored using in-app demographic questions and performance tests which are fed into an algorithm which in turn produces a video-guided exercise program. Objective To test the feasibility, safety, and signal of efficacy of a mobile app that facilitates exercise for people with Parkinson disease. Methods A prospective, single-cohort design of people with Parkinson disease who had downloaded the 9zest app for exercise was used for this 12-week pilot study. Participants, who were recruited online, were encouraged to exercise with the full automated app for ≥150 minutes each week. The primary endpoints were feasibility (app usage and usability questions) and safety (adverse events and falls). The primary endpoints for signal of efficacy were a comparison of the in-app baseline and 8-week outcomes on the 30-second Sit-To-Stand (STS) test, Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, and the Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire 8 (PDQ8). Results For feasibility, of the 28 participants that completed the study, 12 participants averaged >150 minutes of app usage per week (3 averaged 120-150, 4 averaged 90-120, and 9 averaged less than 90 minutes). A majority of participants (>74%) felt the exercise was of value (16/19; 9 nonrespondents), provided adequate instruction (14/19; 9 nonrespondents), and was appropriate for level of function (16/19; 9 nonrespondents). For safety, there were no serious adverse events that occurred during the app-guided exercise. There were 4 reports of strain/sprain injuries while using the app among 3 participants, none of which necessitated medical attention. For signal of efficacy, there was improvement for each of the primary endpoints: STS (P=.01), TUG (P<.001), and PDQ8 (P=.01). Conclusions Independent, video-guided exercise using a mobile app designed for exercise in Parkinson disease was safe and feasible though there was variability in app usage. Despite this, the results provide evidence for a signal of efficacy as there were improvements in 3 of the 3 outcomes. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03459586; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03459586

scholarly journals Timed Up-and-Go Dual-Task Testing in the Assessment of Cognitive Function: A Mixed Methods Observational Study for Development of the UDDGait Protocol

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (5) ◽  
pp. 1715 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ylva Cedervall ◽  
Anna M. Stenberg ◽  
Hanna B. Åhman ◽  
Vilmantas Giedraitis ◽  
Fredrik Tinmark ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Study Protocol ◽  
Dual Task ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Step Length ◽  
Clinical Implementation ◽  
Timed Up And Go ◽  
Final Study ◽  
Standing Up ◽  
Study Participants

New methods to screen for and identify early-stage dementia disorders are highly sought after. The purpose of this pilot study is to develop a study protocol for a dual-task test aimed at aiding the early detection of dementia disorders. We used the Timed Up-and-Go (TUG) test, which is a mobility task involving starting in a sitting position, standing up, walking three meters to cross a line on the floor, turning around, walking back and sitting down again. We combined TUG with the verbal task of naming different animals. Pilot study participants were 43 individuals with and without established dementia diagnoses who attended a clinic for memory assessment. Video-recorded test performances were systematically analysed. Deviant test performances concerning the interplay between test administration and participants’ responses to the assessment instructions were revealed and led to refinements being made to the final study protocol. Exploration of the dual-task test outcome measures in a sub-sample of 22 persons, ten with and twelve without dementia, indicated that step-length and number of named animals after the turning point of the dual-task test might constitute appropriate measures for examining this kind of sample. We concluded that the refined study protocol is feasible for testing individuals undergoing initial memory assessments and healthy controls. Follow-up studies with larger samples are being carried out and will bring new knowledge to this area of research. It may also provide an opportunity for further studies exploring possibilities for broad clinical implementation.

Cortical Activity Underlying Gait Improvements Achieved With Dopaminergic Medication During Usual Walking and Obstacle Avoidance in Parkinson Disease

2021 ◽  
pp. 154596832110007
Author(s):  
Diego Orcioli-Silva ◽  
Rodrigo Vitório ◽  
Priscila Nóbrega-Sousa ◽  
Victor Spiandor Beretta ◽  
Núbia Ribeiro da Conceição ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Parkinson Disease ◽  
Obstacle Avoidance ◽  
Posterior Parietal Cortex ◽  
Near Infrared ◽  
Step Length ◽  
Cortical Activity ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy ◽  
Dopaminergic Medication ◽  
Gait Parameters

Background Dopaminergic medication improves gait in people with Parkinson disease (PD). However, it remains unclear if dopaminergic medication modulates cortical activity while walking. Objective We investigated the effects of dopaminergic medication on cortical activity during unobstructed walking and obstacle avoidance in people with PD. Methods A total of 23 individuals with PD, in both off (PDOFF) and on (PDON) medication states, and 30 healthy older adults (control group [CG]) performed unobstructed walking and obstacle avoidance conditions. Cortical activity was acquired through a combined functional near-infrared spectroscopy electroencephalography (EEG) system, along with gait parameters, through an electronic carpet. Prefrontal cortex (PFC) oxygenated hemoglobin (HbO2) and EEG absolute power from FCz, Cz, and CPz channels were calculated. Results HbO2 concentration reduced for people with PDOFF during obstacle avoidance compared with unobstructed walking. In contrast, both people with PDON and the CG had increased HbO2 concentration when avoiding obstacles compared with unobstructed walking. Dopaminergic medication increased step length, step velocity, and β and γ power in the CPz channel, regardless of walking condition. Moreover, dopaminergic-related changes (ie, on-off) in FCz/CPz γ power were associated with dopaminergic-related changes in step length for both walking conditions. Conclusions PD compromises the activation of the PFC during obstacle avoidance, and dopaminergic medication facilitates its recruitment. In addition, PD medication increases sensorimotor integration during walking by increasing posterior parietal cortex (CPz) activity. Increased γ power in the CPz and FCz channels is correlated with step length improvements achieved with dopaminergic medication during unobstructed walking and obstacle avoidance in PD.

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