Force Platform-Based Intervention Program for Individuals Suffering with Neurodegenerative Diseases like Parkinson

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Biomedical Engineering
• Physical Therapy

Background:

• Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder affecting neurons, leading to motor symptoms like gait disturbances.
• Parkinsonian gait is characterized by forward leaning, short steps, and reduced arm swing, impacting balance and mobility.
• Gait analysis is crucial for diagnosing neurodegenerative diseases and assessing PD progression.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate postural balance and gait signals in Parkinson's disease patients.
• To evaluate the impact of an interim rehabilitation technique on gait parameters.
• To analyze the effects of different trunk alignment conditions on gait.

Main Methods:

• 25 PD patients (Hoehn and Yahr scale 2.5-3) underwent a 10-minute walk test.
• Gait velocities and leg motion vectors were analyzed under three trunk alignment conditions: erect (RE), 30° dorsiflexion (TF1), and 50° dorsiflexion (TF2).
• Intervention effects were assessed over a 10-week follow-up, including analysis of joint flexion and ground reaction force (GRF) characteristics.

Main Results:

• PD patients exhibited decreased walking speed, with trunk dorsiflexion significantly influencing gait patterns.
• Regular erect trunk posture showed reduced swing time (0.7%) in PD patients.
• Rehabilitation training, particularly with trunk rotation, led to significant improvements in gait parameters and posture distribution.

Conclusions:

• Rehabilitation programs can effectively improve gait features in Parkinson's disease patients, especially in early stages.
• Trunk alignment during rehabilitation plays a significant role in patient response and gait improvement.
• This research supports the use of gait analysis-based rehabilitation for enhancing therapeutic efficacy in PD management.