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Fourier-Based Footfall Placement Variability in Parkinson's Disease
Sunghoon Shin1, Bee-Oh Lim2, Michael J Socie3
1School of Kinesiology, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, Republic of Korea.
Biomed Research International
|June 12, 2019
Summary
Parkinson's disease (PD) patients exhibit greater footfall placement variability (FPV) in gait than controls. This variability increases with greater mobility dysfunction in PD patients, suggesting FPV is linked to disease severity.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biomechanical Engineering
- Gait Analysis
Background:
- Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder affecting motor control.
- Gait disturbances, including variability, are common in PD and impact mobility.
- Quantifying gait variability may offer insights into PD progression and functional decline.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if Parkinson's disease patients exhibit increased Fourier-based footfall placement variability (FPV) compared to controls.
- To determine if FPV correlates with the severity of mobility dysfunction in PD, as measured by the Hoehn/Yahr scale.
Main Methods:
- 35 PD patients and 30 age-matched controls participated.
- Gait parameters, including average and variability, were measured using an electronic walkway during normal walking.
- Fourier-based FPV was quantified as the change in the center of pressure during gait.
Main Results:
- PD patients demonstrated significantly greater gait variability (CV and Fourier-based) than controls (p<0.05).
- PD patients with higher mobility dysfunction (Hoehn/Yahr scale) showed significantly greater Fourier-based FPV than those with lower mobility dysfunction (p<0.001).
- Effect sizes indicated a substantial difference in FPV between PD subgroups (η²=0.37).
Conclusions:
- Footfall placement variability is significantly related to mobility dysfunction in Parkinson's disease.
- Increased FPV may serve as a biomarker for disease severity and mobility impairment in PD.
- Further research is warranted to explore interventions, such as exercise, to mitigate FPV in PD.
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