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Fallers with Parkinson's disease exhibit restrictive trunk control during walking
1Human Kinetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, Canada.
Gait & Posture
|December 19, 2018
Summary
This study reveals that individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD) exhibit distinct postural control strategies compared to older adults. Dynamic movements better differentiate fallers and non-fallers with PD, offering insights for fall-risk assessment in Parkinson's disease.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Neurology
- Gerontology
Background:
- The link between falls and postural control in Parkinson's disease (PD) remains unclear.
- Understanding compensatory strategies is crucial for fall prevention in PD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare postural control strategies in individuals with PD (fallers and non-fallers) and older adults.
- To differentiate between static and dynamic postural control mechanisms in these groups.
Main Methods:
- Utilized accelerometers and force platforms to measure postural control during static and dynamic tasks.
- Assessed center of pressure (COP) characteristics, gait parameters, and trunk motion (ROM, velocity).
- Included 25 individuals with PD and 17 healthy older adults.
Main Results:
- Older adults showed greater anterior-posterior COP velocity than individuals with PD.
- Trunk motion was generally reduced in individuals with PD compared to older adults.
- Specific correlations between trunk and COP movements differed between PD fallers and non-fallers, and older adults.
Conclusions:
- Dynamic postural control effectively distinguishes between fallers and non-fallers with PD and older adults.
- Distinct compensatory postural strategies are employed by each group during static and dynamic tasks.
- Findings provide valuable data for assessing fall risk in Parkinson's disease.