Article

Gait impairments are well documented in those with PD. Prior studies
suggest that gait impairments may be worse and ongoing in those with PD who
demonstrate FOG compared to those with PD who do not. PURPOSE: Our aim was to
determine the effects of manipulating step length and cadence individually, and
together, on gait coordination in those with PD who experience FOG, those with PD
who do not experience FOG, healthy older adults, and healthy young adults.
METHODS: Eleven participants with PD and FOG, 16 with PD and no FOG, 18 healthy
older, and 19 healthy young adults walked across a GAITRite walkway under four
conditions: Natural, Fast (+50% of preferred cadence),
Small (-50% of preferred
step length), and SmallFast (+50% cadence and -50% step length). Coordination
(i.e. phase coordination index) was measured for each participant during each
condition and analyzed using mixed model repeated measure ANOVAs. RESULTS: FOG
was not elicited. Decreasing step length alone or decreasing step length and
increasing cadence together affected coordination. Small steps combined with fast
cadence resulted in poorer coordination in both groups with PD compared to
healthy young adults and in those with PD and FOG compared to healthy older
adults. CONCLUSIONS: Coordination deficits can be identified in those with PD by
having them walk with small steps combined with fast cadence. Short steps
produced at high rate elicit worse coordination than short steps or fast steps alone.
CI - Copyright (c) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS