Article

Axial rigidity and postural instability in people with Parkinson's
disease (PD) may contribute to turning difficulty.
This study examined the
rotation of axial segments and gait instability during turning in people with PD.
METHODS: Thirteen PD and twelve age-matched healthy adults were recruited.
Participants performed the timed Up-and-Go test and were recorded by a 3D motion
capture system. Axial rotation was evaluated by the rotation onset of the head,
thorax and pelvis. Gait stability was evaluated by the center of mass and center
of pressure inclination angle. Turning performance was evaluated by turning time
and turning steps. RESULTS: During turning, PD adults rotated the head, thorax
and pelvis simultaneously, whereas healthy adults rotated in a cranial to caudal
sequence. Further, PD adults had a smaller sagittal inclination angle (p<0.001)
but larger frontal inclination angle (p=0.006) than healthy adults. PD adults
also turned slower (p=0.002) with a greater number of steps (p<0.001) than
healthy adults. Last, PD adults showed a significant correlation between the
sagittal inclination angle and turning steps (Spearman's rho=-0.63), while
healthy adults showed a significant correlation between frontal inclination angle
and turning steps (Spearman's rho=-0.67). CONCLUSION:
This study demonstrated the
axial rigidity in PD adults during turning may reduce forward progression and
increase lateral instability.
The reduced progression is associated with extra
turning steps and the increased lateral instability may result in great fall
risk.
CI - Copyright (c) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS