Article

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of red and green light beams on gait and
freezing of gait (FOG) in persons with Parkinson's disease (PD). METHODS: Seven
persons with PD who experienced FOG participated in the study. Gait and turning
performances were studied while walking with canes with red, green, and no light
beams while "off" and "on" anti-Parkinsonian medications.
Gait speed, cadence,
and stride were recorded. Time and number of freezing episodes were recorded
during a 50-foot walk and a 360 degrees turn. RESULTS: During 'off' medication,
compared to no light, stride length improved when using the green light, but not
the red. During the 50-foot walk, freezing episodes were reduced when using the
green light compared to both the red and no light. During the 360 degrees turn,
time, number of steps and number of freezing episodes were reduced using the
green light compared to the red and no light. During 'on' medication, gait speed
and stride length improved more with the green light compared to the red. Neither
color showed any effect on cadence during either medication state. CONCLUSION: A
green light improved gait and alleviate FOG in persons with PD better than a red light or no light.

Langue : ANGLAIS