Subtype of the Freezing of Gait and Motor Function in Patients with Parkinson's Disease

The association between freezing of gait and motor function in Parkinson's disease is variable, and the results suggest the existence of subtypes.

This study aimed to identify the subtypes of freezing of gait and motor function in patients with Parkinson's disease.

Sixty-one patients were included. This study assessed motor function using the freezing of gait questionnaire, the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale Part III. For statistical analyses, we conducted a cluster analysis using the freezing of gait and motor function. Analysis of covariance with age and L-dopa dosing as a covariate was performed for each cluster (P < 0.05).

Cluster 1 (N = 15) had the lowest freezing of gait scores compared to the other clusters, and its motor function scores were lower than those of cluster 3 (N = 9) (P < 0.05). Cluster 2 (N = 37) had moderate freezing of gait scores (vs. cluster 1, P < 0.05), and motor function showed lower scores than cluster 3 (P < 0.05); however, the score was not significantly different from that of cluster 1 (P > 0.05). Cluster 3 had moderate freezing of gait scores (vs. cluster 1, P < 0.05; vs. 2, P > 0.05) and higher motor function scores than the other clusters (P < 0.05); however, the freezing of gait score was not significantly different from that of cluster 2 (P > 0.05).

This study revealed new subtypes that presents with freezing of gait but high motor function in patients with Parkinson's disease.