scholarly journals Gait characteristics in individuals with Parkinson’s disease during 1-minute treadmill walking

PeerJ ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. e9463
Author(s):  
Byungjoo Noh ◽  
Changhong Youm ◽  
Myeounggon Lee ◽  
Sang-Myung Cheon

Background No previous study has examined the age-dependent characteristics of gait in individuals between 50 and 79 years simultaneously in healthy individuals and individuals with Parkinson’s disease (PD) over continuous gait cycles. This study aimed to investigate age-related differences in gait characteristics on individuals age ranged 50–79 years, including individuals with PD, during a 1-minute treadmill walking session. Additionally, we aimed to investigate the differences associated with spatiotemporal gait parameters and PD compared in age-matched individuals. Methods This study included 26 individuals with PD and 90 participants age ranged 50–79 years. The treadmill walking test at a self-preferred speed was performed for 1 min. The embedded inertial measurement unit sensor in the left and right outsoles-based system was used to collect gait characteristics based on tri-axial acceleration and tri-axial angular velocities. Results Participants aged >60 years had a decreased gait speed and shortened stride and step, which may demonstrate a distinct shift in aging (all p < 0.005). Individuals with PD showed more of a decrease in variables with a loss of consistency, including gait asymmetry (GA), phase coordination index (PCI) and coefficient of variation (CV) of all variables, than age-matched individuals (all p < 0.001). Gait speed, stride and step length, stance phase, variability, GA and PCI were the variables that highly depended on age and PD. Discussion Older adults could be considered those older than 60 years of age when gait alterations begin, such as a decreased gait speed as well as shortened stride and step length. On the other hand, a loss of consistency in spatiotemporal parameters and a higher GA and PCI could be used to identify individuals with PD. Thus, the CV of all spatiotemporal parameters, GA and PCI during walking could play an important role and be useful in identifying individuals with PD. Conclusion This study provided the notable aging pattern characteristics of gait in individuals >50 years, including individuals with PD. Increasing age after 60 years is associated with deterioration in spatiotemporal parameters of gait during continuous 1-minute treadmill walking. Additionally, GA, PCI and the CV of all variables could be used to identify PD which would be placed after 70 years of age. It may be useful to determine the decline of gait performance in general and among individuals with PD.

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guneet Chawla ◽  
Madelon Wygand ◽  
Nina Browner ◽  
Michael D Lewek

AbstractBackgroundParkinson’s disease (PD) is marked by a loss of motor automaticity, resulting in decreased control of step length during gait. Rhythmic auditory cues (metronomes or music) may enhance automaticity by adjusting cadence. Both metronomes and music may offer distinct advantages, but prior attempts at quantifying their influence on spatiotemporal aspects of gait have been confounded by altered gait speeds from overground walking. We hypothesized that when gait speed is fixed, individuals with PD would experience difficulty in modifying cadence due to the concomitant requirement to alter step length, with greater changes noted with metronomes compared to music cues.Research QuestionCan a metronome or music promote spatiotemporal adjustments when decoupled from changes in gait speed in individuals with PD?Methods21 participants with PD were instructed to time their steps to a metronome and music cues (at 85%, 100%, and 115% of overground cadence) during treadmill walking. We calculated cadence, cadence accuracy, and step length during each cue condition and an uncued control condition. We compared the various cue frequencies and auditory modalities.ResultsAt fixed gait speeds, participants were able to increase and decrease cadence in response to auditory cues. Music and metronome cues produced comparable results in cadence manipulation with greater cadence errors noted at slower intended frequencies. Nevertheless, the induced cadence changes created a concomitant alteration in step length, with music and metronomes producing comparable changes. Notably, longer step lengths were induced with both music and metronome during slow frequency cueing.SignificanceThis important change conflicts with conventional prescriptive approaches, which advocate for faster cue frequencies, if applied on a treadmill. The music and metronome cues produced comparable changes to gait, suggesting that either cue may be effective at overcoming the shortened step lengths during treadmill walking if slower frequencies are used.


2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rana Zia Ur Rehman ◽  
Silvia Del Din ◽  
Yu Guan ◽  
Alison J. Yarnall ◽  
Jian Qing Shi ◽  
...  

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.


PeerJ ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. e8820 ◽  
Author(s):  
Byungjoo Noh ◽  
Changhong Youm ◽  
Myeounggon Lee ◽  
Hwayoung Park

Background Several studies have reported the association between gait and global cognitive function; however, there is no study explaining the age-specific gait characteristics of older women and association between those characteristics and global cognitive function by age-specific differences and gait speed modification. The aim of this study was to examine age-specific differences in gait characteristics and global cognitive function in older women as well as identify gait domains strongly associated with global cognitive function in older women based on gait speed modification. Methods One hundred sixty-four female participants aged 65–85 years were examined. Participants were assessed for global cognitive function through the mini-mental state examination. They also performed three trials of the overground walking test along a straight 20 m walkway. Inertial measurement unit sensors with shoe-type data loggers on both the left and right outsoles were used to measure gait characteristics. Results The pace at all speeds and the variability and phase at faster speeds were altered in women aged >75 years (all pace domain parameters, p < 0.05); variability and phase highly depended on age (all p < 0.05). Variability at slower speeds (β = −0.568 and p = 0.006) and the phase at the preferred (β = −0.471 and p = 0.005) and faster speeds (β = −0.494 and p = 0.005) were associated with global cognitive function in women aged >75 years. Discussion The variability and phase domains at faster speeds were considered to identify gait changes that accompany aging. In addition, the decreases in global cognitive function are associated with increased variability and phase domains caused by changes in gait speed in older women. Conclusion Our results are considered useful for understanding age-related gait characteristics with global cognitive function in old women.


2020 ◽  
Vol Publish Ahead of Print ◽  
Author(s):  
Staci M. Shearin ◽  
Ann Medley ◽  
Elaine Trudelle-Jackson ◽  
Chad Swank ◽  
Ross Querry

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexis Lheureux ◽  
Thibault Warlop ◽  
Charline Cambier ◽  
Baptiste Chemin ◽  
Gaëtan Stoquart ◽  
...  

Parkinson’s Disease patients suffer from gait impairments such as reduced gait speed, shortened step length, and deterioration of the temporal organization of stride duration variability (i.e., breakdown in Long-Range Autocorrelations). The aim of this study was to compare the effects on Parkinson’s Disease patients’ gait of three Rhythmic Auditory Stimulations (RAS), each structured with a different rhythm variability (isochronous, random, and autocorrelated). Nine Parkinson’s Disease patients performed four walking conditions of 10–15 min each: Control Condition (CC), Isochronous RAS (IRAS), Random RAS (RRAS), and Autocorrelated RAS (ARAS). Accelerometers were used to assess gait speed, cadence, step length, temporal organization (i.e., Long-Range Autocorrelations computation), and magnitude (i.e., coefficient of variation) of stride duration variability on 512 gait cycles. Long-Range Autocorrelations were assessed using the evenly spaced averaged Detrended Fluctuation Analysis (α-DFA exponent). Spatiotemporal gait parameters and coefficient of variation were not modified by the RAS. Long-Range Autocorrelations were present in all patients during CC and ARAS although all RAS conditions altered them. The α-DFA exponents were significantly lower during IRAS and RRAS than during CC, exhibiting anti-correlations during IRAS in seven patients. α-DFA during ARAS was the closest to the α-DFA during CC and within normative data of healthy subjects. In conclusion, Isochronous RAS modify patients’ Long-Range Autocorrelations and the use of Autocorrelated RAS allows to maintain an acceptable level of Long-Range Autocorrelations for Parkinson’s Disease patients’ gait.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 231-231
Author(s):  
Jeffrey Hausdorff ◽  
Moriya Cohen ◽  
Natalie Ganz ◽  
Yitchak Green ◽  
Inbal Badichi ◽  
...  

Abstract Multidisciplinary interventions can improve gait and balance in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD). However, it is not yet known if these interventions also positively impact the quality of daily-living walking. We, therefore, examined the effects of a multidisciplinary, intensive out-patient rehabilitation program (MIOR) as delivered by the rehabilitation center of EZRA–LEMARPE organization on gait and balance as measured in the clinic and on every-day walking, as measured during 1-week of continuous measurement. 46 PD patients (age: 70.05±7.71; gender: 31.3% women; disease duration: 8.85±6.27 yrs) were evaluated before and after participating in 8-weeks of physical, occupational, and hydro-therapy, boxing, and dance (3 days/week; 5 hrs/day). After the intervention, clinical measures of balance (MiniBest Test of Balance delta: 1.82±3.30 points, p=0.001), mobility (TUG delta: -1.78±6.15sec; p=0.001), and usual-walking speed (delta 19±16cm/s; p&lt;0.001) improved. Daily-living step counts and daily-living gait quality did not change (p&gt;0.5). In exploratory analyses, subjects were categorized as responders (Rs) and non-responders (NRs) based on changes in their daily-living walking gait speed. Rs increased their daily-living gait speed (delta: 10±14cm/s; p&lt;0.001); NRs did not. Rs (n=21) also improved their daily-living gait quality measures (e.g. stride regularity, step length, stride time variability). At baseline, disease severity (MDS-UPDRSIII) was lower (p=0.02) in Rs (25.33±11.47), compared to the NRs (34.38±14.27). These results demonstrate that improvements in the clinic do not necessarily transfer to improvements in daily-living gait. Further, in select patients, MIOR can ameliorate daily-living walking quality, potentially reducing the risk of falls and other adverse outcomes associated with impaired mobility.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Madelon Wygand ◽  
Guneet Chawla ◽  
Nina Browner ◽  
Michael D Lewek

AbstractObjectiveTo determine the effect of different metronome cue frequencies on spatiotemporal gait parameters when walking overground compared to walking on a treadmill in people with Parkinson’s diseaseDesignRepeated-measures, within-subject designSettingResearch laboratoryParticipantsTwenty-one people with Parkinson’s disease (Hoehn & Yahr stage 1-3)InterventionsParticipants walked overground and on a treadmill with and without metronome cues of 85%, 100%, and 115% of their baseline cadence for one minute each.Main Outcome MeasuresGait speed, step length, and cadenceResultsAn interaction effect between cue frequency and walking environment revealed that participants took longer steps during the 85% condition on the treadmill only. When walking overground, metronome cues of 85% and 115% of baseline cadence yielded decreases and increases, respectively, in both cadence and gait speed with no concomitant change in step length.ConclusionsThese data suggest that people with PD are able to alter spatiotemporal gait parameters immediately when provided the appropriate metronome cue and walking environment. We propose to target shortened step lengths by stepping to the beat of slow frequency auditory cues while walking on a treadmill, whereas the use of fast frequency cues during overground walking can facilitate faster walking speeds.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jannis van Kersbergen ◽  
Karen Otte ◽  
Nienke M. de Vries ◽  
Bastiaan R. Bloem ◽  
Hanna M. Röhling ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective Parkinson’s disease is a common, age-related, neurodegenerative disease, affecting gait and other motor functions. Technological developments in consumer imaging are starting to provide high-quality, affordable tools for home-based diagnosis and monitoring. This pilot study aims to investigate whether a consumer depth camera can capture changes in gait features of Parkinson’s patients. The dataset consisted of 19 patients (tested in both a practically defined OFF phase and ON phase) and 8 controls, who performed the “Timed-Up-and-Go” test multiple times while being recorded with the Microsoft Kinect V2 sensor. Camera-derived features were step length, average walking speed and mediolateral sway. Motor signs were assessed clinically using the Movement Disorder Society Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale. Results We found significant group differences between patients and controls for step length and average walking speed, showing the ability to detect Parkinson’s features. However, there were no differences between the ON and OFF medication state, so further developments are needed to allow for detection of small intra-individual changes in symptom severity.


2022 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin A. Horn ◽  
Alessandro Gulberti ◽  
Ute Hidding ◽  
Christian Gerloff ◽  
Wolfgang Hamel ◽  
...  

Background: The Parkinsonian [i.e., Parkinson's disease (PD)] gait disorder represents a therapeutical challenge with residual symptoms despite the use of deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus (STN DBS) and medical and rehabilitative strategies. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of different DBS modes as combined stimulation of the STN and substantia nigra (STN+SN DBS) and environmental rehabilitative factors as footwear on gait kinematics.Methods: This single-center, randomized, double-blind, crossover clinical trial assessed shod and unshod gait in patients with PD with medication in different DBS conditions (i.e., STIM OFF, STN DBS, and STN+SN DBS) during different gait tasks (i.e., normal gait, fast gait, and gait during dual task) and compared gait characteristics to healthy controls. Notably, 15 patients participated in the study, and 11 patients were analyzed after a dropout of four patients due to DBS-induced side effects.Results: Gait was modulated by both factors, namely, footwear and DBS mode, in patients with PD. Footwear impacted gait characteristics in patients with PD similarly to controls with longer step length, lower cadence, and shorter single-support time. Interestingly, DBS exerted specific effects depending on gait tasks with increased cognitive load. STN+SN DBS was the most efficient DBS mode compared to STIM OFF and STN DBS with intense effects as step length increment during dual task.Conclusion: The PD gait disorder is a multifactorial symptom, impacted by environmental factors as footwear and modulated by DBS. DBS effects on gait were specific depending on the gait task, with the most obvious effects with STN+SN DBS during gait with increased cognitive load.


Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (24) ◽  
pp. 8321
Author(s):  
Emiri Gondo ◽  
Saiko Mikawa ◽  
Akito Hayashi

External cues improve walking by evoking internal rhythm formation related to gait in the brain in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD). This study examined the usefulness of using a portable gait rhythmogram (PGR) in music therapy on PD-related gait disturbance. A total of 19 subjects with PD who exhibited gait disturbance were evaluated for gait speed and step length during a 10 m straight walking task. Moreover, acceleration, cadence, and trajectory of the center of the body were estimated using a PGR. Walking tasks were created while incorporating music intervention that gradually increased in tempo from 90 to 120 beats per minute (BPM). We then evaluated whether immediate improvement in gait could be recognized even without music after walking tasks by comparing pre- (pre-MT) and post-music therapy (post-MT) values. Post-MT gait showed significant improvement in acceleration, gait speed, cadence, and step length. During transitions throughout the walking tasks, acceleration, gait speed, cadence, and step length gradually increased in tasks with music. With regard to the trajectory of the center of the body, we recognized a reduction in post-MT medio-lateral amplitude. Music therapy immediately improved gait disturbance in patients with PD, and the effectiveness was objectively shown using PGR.


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