Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 8, 2025

Applying the RatWalker System for Gait Analysis in a Genetic Rat Model of Parkinson's Disease
Published on: January 18, 2021
Reduced Range of Gait Speed: A Parkinson's Disease-Specific Symptom?
Felix von der Recke1, Elke Warmerdam2, Clint Hansen1
1Department of Neurology, Kiel University, Kiel, Germany.
Abstract:
Reduced range of gait speed (RGS) may lead to decreased environmental adaptability in persons with Parkinson's disease (PwPD). Therefore, lab-measured gait speed, step time, and step length during slow, preferred, and fast walking were assessed in 24 PwPD, 19 stroke patients, and 19 older adults and compared with 31 young adults. Only PwPD, but not the other groups, showed significantly reduced RGS compared to young adults, driven by step time in the low and step length in the high gait speed range. These results suggest that reduced RGS may occur as a PD-specific symptom, and different gait components seem to contribute.
Related Concept Videos
Parkinson's Disease: Overview
Parkinson's Disease: Treatment
Parkinson's Disease is primarily a result of the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta. The cornerstone of...
Peripheral Arterial Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Evaluation

