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Asymmetrical pedaling patterns in Parkinson's disease patients
Amanda L Penko1, Joshua R Hirsch2, Claudia Voelcker-Rehage3
1Department of Biomedical Engineering, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland FES Center, L. Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, USA.
Clinical Biomechanics (Bristol, Avon)
|December 4, 2014
Summary
Parkinson's disease patients show decreased leg symmetry during cycling as workload increases. This new pedaling analysis offers a more sensitive measure of lower extremity function than current clinical assessments.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Biomechanics
- Exercise Physiology
Background:
- Parkinson's disease affects 1.5 million Americans, causing gait dysfunction and postural instability.
- Current clinical gait assessments are subjective and may not detect treatment effectiveness.
- Cycling shows promise for Parkinson's patients, but lower extremity control during cycling is understudied.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine lower extremity coordination patterns in Parkinson's disease patients during cycling.
- To investigate the sensitivity of pedaling analysis for assessing lower extremity function.
Main Methods:
- Twenty-five Parkinson's disease patients (ages 44-72) underwent a cycle ergometer test.
- Pedal force, torque, angle, and power were measured for each leg.
- Symmetry Index was calculated at three workload stages (20 W, 60 W, maximal).
Main Results:
- Symmetry Index for average power output decreased as workload increased in Parkinson's patients.
- Significant differences in Symmetry Index for maximum power were found between lower and maximal workloads.
- Lower extremity asymmetries during pedaling did not correlate with Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale scores.
Conclusions:
- Pedaling analysis provides a more sensitive measure of lower extremity function compared to the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale.
- This analysis may offer valuable insights into current and future lower extremity function in Parkinson's patients.
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