Article

Coordination between the upper and lower extremities is important to
providing dynamic stability during human gait. Though limited, previous research
has suggested that interlimb coordination may be impaired in persons with
Parkinson's disease. We extend this previous work using continuous analytical
techniques to enhance our understanding of interlimb coordination during gait in
persons with Parkinson's disease. METHODS: Eighteen adults with Parkinson's
disease and fifteen healthy older adults walked overground while undergoing
three-dimensional motion capture. Ipsilateral and contralateral interlimb
coordination between the sagittal shoulder and hip angles was assessed using
cross-covariance techniques. Independent samples and paired samples t-tests
compared measures of interlimb coordination between groups and between sides
within the participants with Parkinson's disease, respectively. Pearson's
correlations were applied to investigate associations between interlimb
coordination measures and subscores of gait, posture,
and bradykinesia on the
Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale. FINDINGS: Ipsilateral and contralateral
interlimb coordination was reduced in persons with Parkinson's disease compared
to the healthy older adults. Ipsilateral coordination between the upper and lower
extremities more affected by disease was found to be negatively associated with
clinical scores of gait and posture. Interlimb coordination was not significantly
associated with clinical measures of bradykinesia. INTERPRETATION: Persons with
Parkinson's disease exhibit reduced interlimb coordination during gait when
compared to healthy older adults. These reductions in coordination are related to
clinically-meaningful worsening of gait and posture in persons with PD and
coordination of arm and leg movements should be considered in future research on
gait therapy in this population.
CI - Copyright (c) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS