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Clinical-oriented Three-dimensional Gait Analysis Method for Evaluating Gait Disorder
Published on: March 4, 2018
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Gait and axial postural abnormalities correlations in Parkinson's disease: A multicenter quantitative study
Chatkaew Pongmala1, Margherita Fabbri2, Maurizio Zibetti3
1Department of Neuroscience "Rita Levi Montalcini", University of Turin, Via Cherasco 15, 10124, Turin, Italy; Department of Radiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA.
Parkinsonism & Related Disorders
|November 4, 2022
Summary
Severe anterior trunk flexion in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients significantly impacts gait velocity and step length. Personalized rehabilitation should address these combined postural and gait alterations.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Movement Disorders
- Gait Analysis
Background:
- Gait and postural abnormalities (PA) are common, disabling Parkinson's disease (PD) symptoms.
- The relationship between gait and PA in PD is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between gait performance and the presence/severity of axial postural abnormalities in Parkinson's disease patients.
Main Methods:
- A standardized protocol for posture and gait analysis was used across 6 movement disorder centers.
- 225 PD patients were evaluated, categorized by PA severity (severe, mild, none).
- Multiple regression analysis examined correlations between trunk flexion and gait parameters.
Main Results:
- Patients with severe PA exhibited significantly worse motor scores, longer disease duration, and reduced gait velocity and cadence compared to those with mild PA.
- Increased lumbar anterior trunk flexion correlated with decreased step length and velocity.
Conclusions:
- Severe anterior trunk flexion in PD patients detrimentally affects gait velocity and step length.
- Personalized rehabilitation strategies targeting specific PA features and related gait alterations are recommended.
